Tran opens exploratory to take on Loretta Sanchez

After much talk about it, California state Assemblyman Van Tran (R) has taken an official step toward challenging Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) in 2010, announcing an exploratory committee Wednesday.

“California’s unemployment is up 33 percent in the past five months, but we’re not seeing solutions in Washington,” Tran said. “If I run for Congress, my first priority will be passing meaningful economic reforms to create more jobs and get Californians working.”

Sanchez has routinely been elected by wide margins, but Republicans are extremely high on Tran. There is also the possibility that Sanchez would seek statewide office.

Tran would be the second Vietnamese-American in Congress, joining Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.), who was elected in November.

-Aaron Blake