The American-born Korean descendant narrowly defeated his Republican rival Scott Baugh in the race for California's 47th congressional district in coastal Orange County, home to many South Korean immigrants.
"I know many of us are anxious about the future of our country, but we cannot give up on America. In Congress, I will fight to protect our democracy, safeguard our freedoms, and expand economic opportunity," the 48-year-old wrote on X.
A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Harvard Law School, the California state senator has focused on advocating for stronger gun control while addressing the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, Republican Michelle Park Steel, seeking her third term, is in a neck-and-neck race for another House seat in California, holding a slim lead over Democrat Derek Tran, with over 90 percent of the votes counted.
Born in Seoul in 1955, she moved to the U.S. in 1976 and her husband Shawn Steele reportedly encouraged her to enter politics.
As of Thursday, four Korean Americans or Korean descendants have secured seats in the U.S. Congress - Andy Kim in New Jersey, Young Kim and Dave Min both in California, and Marilyn Strickland in Washington.
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