Michelle Steel (45)

Biography

Michelle Steel , born June 21, 1955, in Seoul, South Korea, is a Republican politician who immigrated to the United States as a young adult. She served as U.S. Representative for California's 48th congressional district from 2021 to 2023 and the 45th congressional district from 2023 to 2025, becoming one of the first Korean American women in Congress alongside Young Kim and Marilyn Strickland. Steel lost her 2024 re-election bid to Democrat Derek Tran. Notable positions include membership on House minority whip Steve Scalise's Whip Team in the 117th Congress; she focused on tax relief, opposing wasteful spending like California's high-speed rail, and priorities such as repealing the SALT cap.

Education

• B.S. in business, Pepperdine University.
• M.B.A., University of Southern California.

Political Experience

• Orange County Board of Supervisors , including as Chair.
• California State Board of Equalization .
• U.S. House of Representatives, California districts 48 and 45 .
• Active in Republican politics and George W. Bush administration commissions.