Jose Luis Correa ( ; born January 24, 1958) is an American businessman and politician serving as the
U.S. representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
for since 2017. His district is based in
Orange County
Orange County most commonly refers to:
*Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Orange County may also refer to:
U.S. counties
*Orange County, Florida, containing Orlando
*Orange County, Indiana
*Orange County, New ...
and includes the communities of
Anaheim
Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...
and
Santa Ana, as well as parts of
Orange
Orange most often refers to:
*Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis''
** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower
*Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum
* ...
. A member of the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
, Correa represented the
34th district in the
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the lower house being the California State Assembly. The State Senate convenes, along with the State Assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Cal ...
from 2006 to 2014.
Before his career in politics, Correa was an investment banker, a real estate broker, and a college instructor.
Early life and education
Correa's paternal grandfather came to the United States from Mexico to work for the
Southern Pacific Transportation Company
The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...
in the 1910s. His grandfather settled down in the U.S. and started a family. During the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
, he returned to Mexico with his American-born children. Years later, Correa's father got married and moved from Mexico to California.
Correa was born in
East Los Angeles
East Los Angeles ( es, Este de Los Ángeles), or East L.A., is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 118,786, a drop of 6.1% from 2010, when it was 126,496. For statistical purpo ...
. His mother was killed in a car accident in Mexico when he was two. This resulted in Correa and his father moving to
Zacatecas
, image_map = Zacatecas in Mexico (location map scheme).svg
, map_caption = State of Zacatecas within Mexico
, coordinates =
, coor_pinpoint =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type ...
, Mexico. Five years later, he and his father moved to the Penguin City neighborhood in
Anaheim, California
Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...
. Correa's family unit comprised his father, Correa's sister, and an aunt he called "mom." Correa's father worked at a cardboard factory. His aunt cleaned hotel rooms making $1.50 an hour. The family moved regularly due to the cost of rent.
Correa started second grade speaking only Spanish. He struggled to learn English initially, but became fluent over time. He graduated from
Anaheim High School
Anaheim High School is a public, four-year high school in the city of Anaheim, California, United States and serves students
living in the Colony District of Anaheim. Anaheim High School was first established in 1898, which makes it the oldest o ...
and earned a
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...
in
economics
Economics () is the social science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services.
Economics focuses on the behaviour and intera ...
from
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF or Cal State Fullerton) is a public university in Fullerton, California. With a total enrollment of more than 41,000, it has the largest student body of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) ...
and a
Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor (J.D. or JD), also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D., JD, D.Jur., or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law
and one of several Doctor of Law degrees. The J.D. is the standard degree obtained to practice law ...
and
Master of Business Administration
A Master of Business Administration (MBA; also Master's in Business Administration) is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration such as accounti ...
from the
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...
.
California legislature
State Assembly
Correa's political career began in 1996 when he ran for the
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature, the upper house being the California State Senate. The Assembly convenes, along with the State Senate, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
The A ...
as the Democratic nominee in the 69th Assembly district. He lost to
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
incumbent
Jim Morrissey by just 93 votes. In a 1998 rematch, Correa was elected to the Assembly, defeating Morrissey 54% to 43%.
While a member of the Assembly, Correa served on several committees and chaired the Committee on Business and Professions, the Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee; the Select Committee on Mobile Homes; and the Select Committee on
MCAS El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located next to the community of El Toro, near Irvine, California.
Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps Aviation on the West Coast ...
Reuse.
Correa was reelected to the Assembly twice but was forced from office by California's
term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms an officeholder may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method of curbing the potenti ...
s law, which restricted members from serving more than three two-year terms.
In 2004, Correa was elected to the
Orange County Board of Supervisors
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is the five-member governing body of Orange County, California along with being the executive of the county.
Membership
The Board consists of five Supervisors elected by districts to four-year terms by the ...
, becoming the first Democrat to serve on the board since 1987. He represented the first district, which includes the cities of
Garden Grove,
Santa Ana, and
Westminster
Westminster is an area of Central London, part of the wider City of Westminster.
The area, which extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street, has many visitor attractions and historic landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Bu ...
as well as unincorporated areas of the county including
Midway City
Midway City is a census-designated place in the United States that forms part of the county land controlled by Orange County, California. The only area in Orange County that incorporates its chamber of commerce and homeowners association to act ...
.
State Senate
![Lou Correa](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Lou_Correa.jpg)
In January 2006, Correa entered the race for the Democratic Party nomination for the
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the lower house being the California State Assembly. The State Senate convenes, along with the State Assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Cal ...
34th district, a seat vacated by termed-out State Senator
Joe Dunn.
After defeating
Assemblyman Tom Umberg
Thomas John Umberg (born September 25, 1955) is an American politician who serves in the California State Senate. A Democrat, he represents the 34th district, which encompasses parts of northern Orange County and a small portion of Long Beach. P ...
in the June primary, Correa defeated Republican
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher
Lynn Daucher (born September 20, 1946) is a United States politician who was a Republican California State Assemblywoman from Orange County from 2000 until 2006 when she was term limited. That year, Daucher ran for the California State Senate se ...
in the November general election by a margin of 1,392 votes. He was sworn into the State Senate on December 4, 2006.
In 2010, Correa was reelected over
Anaheim
Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...
City Councilwoman
Lucille Kring.
In a January 27, 2015, special election, Correa ran for the
Orange County Board of Supervisors
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is the five-member governing body of Orange County, California along with being the executive of the county.
Membership
The Board consists of five Supervisors elected by districts to four-year terms by the ...
, but was defeated by former
Garden Grove City Councilman
A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural council ...
Andrew Do
Andrew Do ( vi, Andrew Đỗ) is an American politician currently serving as Orange County Supervisor, representing the First District. He is a Republican.
Do was a candidate for California State Treasurer in 2022, but was eliminated in the p ...
by a margin of 43 votes (0.1%).
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2016
Correa ran for the United States Congress for the 46th district, which was being vacated by 10-term incumbent
Loretta Sanchez
Loretta Lorna Sanchez (born January 7, 1960) is an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1997 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected in 1996, when she defeated long-serving Repu ...
, who was running for United States Senate. He came in first in the June 7 primary with 43.7% of the vote, and won the general election against Democrat
Bao Nguyen, who earned 14.6% of the vote in the top-two primary, with 69.9% of the vote.
Tenure
Correa is a member of the
Blue Dog Coalition
The Blue Dog Coalition (commonly known as the Blue Dogs or Blue Dog Democrats) is a caucus in the United States House of Representatives comprising centrist members from the Democratic Party. The caucus was founded as a group of conservative De ...
.
2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol
Correa was participating in the certification of the
2021 United States Electoral College vote count
The count of the Electoral College ballots during a joint session of the 117th United States Congress, pursuant to the Electoral Count Act, on January 6–7, 2021, was the final step to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 20 ...
when supporters of outgoing President
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...
stormed the United States Capitol. He was in the House Chamber when rioters tried to break through the chamber doors. He hid in the gallery with other Congress members, holding a gas mask in case of tear gas. He said the rioters "have been misled by this crazy, tyrant president who keeps saying it was stolen from him when it wasn’t."
A group of Trump supporters harassed Correa at
Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport , typically referred to as Dulles International Airport, Dulles Airport, Washington Dulles, or simply Dulles ( ), is an international airport in the Eastern United States, located in Loudoun County and Fai ...
as he was leaving Washington to return to Orange County after certifying the electoral votes. People called him names and one man told him, "Your lie has been exposed. This not a democracy. It is a republic." After one woman told him to "go to work in China", Correa responded, "Maybe Russia is better. Comrade! Comrade!" Minutes later, airport police dispersed the crowd. Correa expressed concern that the airport police did not question or detain the harassers.
He supported efforts to impeach Trump and called on Vice President
Mike Pence
Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th ...
to invoke the
Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Twenty-fifth Amendment (Amendment XXV) to the United States Constitution deals with presidential succession and disability.
It clarifies that the vice president becomes president if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, a ...
.
Committee assignments
*
Committee on Homeland Security
**
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
**
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency (Ranking Member)
*
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
**
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
**
Subcommittee on Health The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is a subcommittee within the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jurisdiction
The House Subcommittee on Health has general jurisdiction over bills and resolutions relating to pub ...
Caucus memberships
*
Blue Dog Coalition
The Blue Dog Coalition (commonly known as the Blue Dogs or Blue Dog Democrats) is a caucus in the United States House of Representatives comprising centrist members from the Democratic Party. The caucus was founded as a group of conservative De ...
*
New Democrat Coalition
The New Democrat Coalition is a congressional caucus, caucus in the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives of the United States Congress made up of Democratic Party (United States), Democrats, primarily Centrism, cent ...
*
House Baltic Caucus
The House Baltic Caucus is a bipartisan registered Caucus of the House of Representatives since its inception in 1997 and is composed of members from both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The members of the House Baltic Caucus have a str ...
*
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an organization of 38 Democratic members of the United States Congress of Hispanic and Latino descent. The Caucus focuses on issues affecting Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. The CHC was fou ...
*
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is a caucus consisting of members of the United States Congress who are Asian American and Pacific Islander ( AAPI), and who have a strong interest in advocating and promoting issues and ...
*
Blue Collar Caucus
*
Problem Solvers Caucus
The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in the United States House of Representatives that includes members equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, who seek to foster bipartisan cooperation on key policy issues. The group was c ...
Political positions
Abortion
Correa has a 100% rating from
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America, commonly known as simply NARAL ( ), is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization in the United States that engages in lobbying, political action, and advocacy efforts to oppose restrictions on abortion, to expand access to ...
and an F rating from the
Susan B. Anthony List
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (formerly Susan B. Anthony List) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that seeks to reduce and ultimately end abortion in the U.S. by supporting anti-abortion politicians, primarily women, through its SBA List ...
for his abortion-relating voting history. He opposed the
overturning of ''Roe v. Wade'', saying: "By preventing women from having access to health care, we are putting their lives in jeopardy. The decision should be left to woman, her doctor, and her god."
Big Tech
In 2022, Correa was one of 16 Democrats to vote against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.
Personal life
In 1990, Correa married his wife, Esther. They lived in Anaheim with Correa's father until Correa was in his 40s.
Correa lives in
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana () is the second most populous city and the county seat of Orange County, California. Located in the Greater Los Angeles region of Southern California, the city's population was 310,227 at the 2020 census, making Santa Ana the List of ...
. He and his wife have four children.
See also
*
References
External links
Congressman Lou Correaofficial U.S. House website
Lou Correa for Congresscampaign website
*
*
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Correa, Lou
1958 births
20th-century American politicians
21st-century American politicians
American investment bankers
American real estate brokers
Democratic Party California state senators
California State University, Fullerton alumni
Educators from California
Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress
Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in California
Living people
Democratic Party members of the California State Assembly
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California
Mexican-American people in California politics
Orange County Supervisors
People from Anaheim, California
People from East Los Angeles, California
Politicians from Zacatecas
UCLA Anderson School of Management alumni
UCLA School of Law alumni