The Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) is currently navigating a significant internal debate over whether to endorse Tracy La, a candidate for a seat on the Garden Grove School Board. Tracy La, a Vietnamese leader and head of VietRISE, is seeking a Garden Grove School Board seat, a race Democrats initially saw as an opportunity for gains in Little Saigon after Congressman Derek Tran’s 2024 victory.
Central to the controversy is a social media post from last year by Tracy La/VietRISE, which lauded Ho Chi Minh’s role in Vietnam's fight for independence. The post has ignited considerable concern within the Vietnamese American community, particularly among Little Saigon voters who recall the experiences of Ho Chi Minh and his forces. Many residents lost relatives, property, and freedom, faced re-education camps, or fled, making any positive portrayal of Ho Chi Minh deeply sensitive. Local Republicans are reportedly eager to leverage the post to associate the broader Democratic Party with La’s views.
Some progressive Vietnamese individuals, who admire La's work, attempted to persuade her to remove or clarify the post, or balance it with critical content. La, however, maintained the post, which she reportedly deemed technically accurate.
Florice Hoffman, Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County and granddaughter of refugees from the former Soviet Union, urged the Party not to endorse La at their recent meeting. Hoffman initially deemed condemning the post inappropriate, noting La was not an ADEM delegate, VietRISE was not DPOC-affiliated, and had performed “commendable work protecting and advocating for immigrants.” Following a “lengthy discussion” with La, Hoffman hoped the candidate would disavow or clarify the posts, acknowledge harm, and take steps toward reconciliation. Hoffman concluded that La was “not interested in taking those steps,” raising concerns about her “unwillingness to work constructively with Democratic elected officials and candidates.”
Citing a 2020 precedent involving a progressive DPOC officer and a similar issue, Hoffman emphasized the “political consequences for Democratic candidates running in communities where the history of the Vietnam War, communism, and the experiences of refugees remain deeply personal.” She urged the Central Committee to support a “No Endorsement” recommendation, considering the potential effect on Democratic candidates across Garden Grove, Westminster, Little Saigon, and Orange County.
Some progressive Democrats, including Vietnamese Americans, while personally supportive of La, also deem it strategically unwise for the party to align with views expressed in the post. One Vietnamese Democrat stated that La’s stance was “offensive,” and after La refused to clarify her position, they declined to endorse her. This individual warned that a DPOC endorsement could alienate the entire Vietnamese community, potentially impacting other Democratic campaigns, including those of Derek Tran and Thu-Ha. A rumor circulating about Congressman Derek Tran urging politicians to rescind endorsements for La was dispelled; an email packet was sent to him and others, rather than originating from him.
