Nguyen Releases First Endorsements in Campaign for Congress
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Westminster Mayor and Conservative Republican enjoys district-wide support in CA-45
WESTMINSTER, CA – Mayor Charlie Nguyen, a leading candidate for Congress in California’s 45th Congressional District, today released his first round of endorsements.
“I am incredibly honored to have the support of such a strong and talented team of California Republicans who are rallying behind my campaign,” said Nguyen. “I am humbled and honored by their faith in me, and I am going to do everything I can to make them proud when I serve as their representative in Congress.”
The list is highlighted by California State Senator Tony Strickland, whose 36th Senate District contains significant overlap with the redrawn CA-45. “Senator Strickland and his constituents know me very well, and his endorsement is a huge boost to my campaign,” said Nguyen.
“Charlie Nguyen has been a champion for taxpayers in Westminster and a pillar of our Orange County Community for over 3 decades,” said Strickland. “He’s the embodiment of the American Dream, and I’m proud to endorse him and call him a friend.”
In addition to Senator Strickland, over a dozen local elected officials and community leaders have joined Mayor Nguyen’s campaign. These include fellow Orange County Mayors Dave Shawver of Stanton; Mayor Chad Wanke of Placentia, and Mayor Robert Pequeno of Lake Forest.
Mayor Shawver said, “As a fellow Mayor, I’ve worked with Charlie Nguyen many years. He will best represent all the people in Congress. Charlie knows his district and has been active in the community for over three decades. Charlie is an ‘America First’ conservative who will fight for and support the Trump agenda in Washington. He has my full support for the 45th Congressional District.”
Mayor Wanke said “Mayor Charlie Nguyen is a born leader and a conservative champion. As a Mayor, he knows how to get things done in service to our community. As a businessman, he knows what it takes to balance a budget, manage a team and provide service. As a legal immigrant who escaped the horrors of communism, he has a deep love for our country and our America First values. He is the right choice to represent us in Congress, and has my full support and endorsement.”
Vice Mayor Mark Nguyen added, “Charlie is the leader we need in Washington. Bold, conservative, and forward looking, and a strong supporter of President Trump and his America First agenda. No candidate is more prepared to lead than Charlie, and I’m proud to give him my endorsement.”
Lan Quoc Nguyen said “It is crucially important that Republicans nominate a true conservative who can WIN in November. Charlie Nguyen is a winner, and his decades of service to our community make him the clear choice to represent us in Congress. Charlie knows first hand the evils of communism, and that’s why we can trust him to fight for the Trump Agenda and against the radical left in Congress. I’m honored to endorse my friend Charlie Nguyen for Congress.”
With just under three months until the California primary, Mayor Nguyen continues to build momentum as the strongest Republican in the field. The Mayor ended 2025 as the top fundraiser in the race, and his widespread support across the district puts him in strong position to capture the Republican nomination and defeat Derek Tran in November.
“It is essential that Republicans nominate the strongest possible candidate to take back this district,” said Nguyen. “I am ready to serve my community in Washington, DC. I will take on the radical left, and fight for President Trump and his America First agenda in Congress.”
A full list of endorsers can be found below.
Tony Strickland - California State Senator
Dave Shawver - Mayor, City of Stanton
Chad Wanke - Mayor, City of Placentia
Robert Pequeño - Mayor, City of Lake Forest
Mark Nguyen - Vice Mayor, City of Westminster
Mike Munzing – Mayor Pro Tem, City of Aliso Viejo
George Brietigam– Mayor Pro Tem, City of Garden Grove
Joshua Sweeney - Chairman of Orange County Fire Authority - Immediate PastMayor / Council member, City of Laguna Hills
Scott Voigts - Immediate Past Mayor / Council Member, City of Lake Forest
Bob Ruesch - Immediate Past Mayor / Council Member - City of Mission Viejo
Victor Cabral - Immediate Past Mayor / Council Member, City of San Clemente
Shelley Hasselbrink - Immediate Past Mayor / Council Member City of LosAlamitos
Victor Barrios - Council Member, City of Stanton
John D. Warren - Council Member, City of Stanton
Mike Frost - Council Member, City of Dana Point
Benjamin Yu - Council Member City of Lake Forest
Shari L. Freidenrich - Treasurer-Tax Collector for Orange County
Tim Shaw – Trustee, Orange County Board of Education
Lan Q. Nguyen - President Pro Tem Board of Directors - Garden Grove Unified School District
Gene Hernandez –President Yorba Linda Water District
Andrew Nguyen- Board Vice President / Director of Midway City Sanitary District
Anthony Kuo - Vice-Mayor City of Irvine (retired)
About Charlie: A native of Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States as a teenager, all alone, after his father was taken from his family by the Communist regime and placed in a re-education camp. Despite his early challenges, and missing over four years of schooling, he earned a master’s degree from Cal State University, Long Beach, built a distinguished career in the aerospace industry, rising to senior level management, before becoming a small business owner. He has served Westminster and the Orange County community for 30 years, and last year was named to the Orange County Register’s “125 Most Influential People in Orange County.” He and his wife of over three decades, Jacqueline, have three adult children and reside in Westminster.
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