1. Van Thai Tran is a Vietnamese American attorney and politician in California, formerly serving as a Republican member of the California State Assembly, representing portions of Orange County.
12 Facts About Van Tran
1. 2.
Van Tran took office one month before Vo did, making him the first Vietnamese American to serve in a state legislature.
3.
Van Tran served in the Assembly as Assistant Republican Leader.
4.
Van Tran completed a Master of Public Administration from Hamline University and a JD from Hamline University School of Law.
5.
Van Tran was admitted to the California State Bar in 1994.
6.
In 2000, Van Tran was elected to the Garden Grove City Council with the highest number of votes in city history and became only the second Vietnamese American man to be elected to office in the United States.
7.
Van Tran was re-elected to the Assembly in 2006 and 2008.
8.
Van Tran was the Vice Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
9.
Van Tran served on the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee and the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
10.
On December 21,2005, Van Tran announced that he would launch an exploratory committee for a 2006 run against Democratic First District Orange County Supervisor Lou Correa in the race for the State Senate seat being vacated by term limited Democrat Joe Dunn.
11.
Van Tran announced that he would run for State Board of Equalization representing District 4.
12.
Van Tran ran, but lost the primary to state Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, who went on to easily win the general election.