Trump Throws His Weight Behind Baugh – the MAGA Loyalist Orange County Didn’t Ask For
Trump Finds His Guy in Baugh, a “100% Loyal” MAGA Follower with a Record to Prove It
Trump’s Endorsement of Baugh Highlights Candidate’s Support for Project 2025, Refusal to Condemn January 6, and Questioning of 2020 Election Results
IRVINE, CA – Today, Donald Trump made it clear who he wants in Congress to represent Orange County: Scott Baugh, a MAGA Republican who has proudly aligned himself with the Trump/ Project 2025 agenda. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Trump called Baugh a “terrific America First candidate,” praising him as a “fighter” who would champion Trump’s radical policies. Baugh has repeatedly demonstrated his loyalty to Trump, even commending him for doing a “tremendous job” in “dismantling the administrative state.” His unwavering allegiance to Trump’s extreme, anti-government agenda is unmistakable; Baugh has gone so far as to say he stands “100% with Trump.”
“Scott Baugh has shown Orange County exactly who he is,” said Dave Min, State Senator and Democratic candidate for California’s 47th Congressional District. “His loyalty is with Donald Trump and the extreme MAGA agenda, not with the people of our district. Scott’s record, from refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the 2020 election results to shrugging off the insurrection of January 6, is proof he’d bring more division and partisanship to Congress, not the practical solutions we need.”
Baugh’s Public Record on Trump and MAGA Extremism:
Refuses to Acknowledge the 2020 Election Results: Baugh repeatedly dodged questions about Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, instead choosing to pander to MAGA extremists.
Standing with MAGA Extremistst: Baugh has aligned himself with Project 2025, an extreme MAGA initiative to dismantle the DOJ’s independence, giving Trump total control to wield the government as a tool for revenge against political enemies.
Refused to Condemn January 6th Insurrection: Baugh refused to condemn the violent January 6th attack on our democracy, later saying he “did not pay attention” to the January 6th Committee hearings and called them “A bit of a sham show that voters dont care about.”
Called Trump’s Criminal Convictions “Politically Motivated”: When Trump was convicted by a unanimous jury of 12 average citizens, Baugh labeled it “politically motivated,” remaining silent as Trump promises to weaponize the government against his adversaries.
In addition to Trump’s endorsement, Baugh’s record is peppered with endorsements and affiliations that raise serious concerns. Recently, Jewish Insider reported that Baugh has supported Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, a figure known for antisemitic rhetoric and Holocaust denial. Rather than distance himself, Baugh has campaigned alongside Van Der Mark.
Baugh has dragged Orange County voters through the mud with him for decades, leaving behind a trail of corruption and scandal, including:
Changing voter registrations without consent: As Chair of the Orange County Republican Party, Baugh was at the center of a scandal where as many as 600 Orange County residents had their voter registrations changed to Republican without their knowledge– and led to 12 arrests.
Indicted on more than 20 criminal charges: In 1996, Baugh was indicted on more than 20 criminal charges, including four felonies, for violating campaign finance laws and persuading someone to commit perjury. He admitted to committing nine violations of the California Political Reform Act and was forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Worked to disenfranchise voters: Baugh was a founding chairman of an organization that spread voter disinformation and attempted to disenfranchise California voters—long before the 2020 election.
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California’s 47th is an open Congressional District in Orange County that includes the Cities of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, and Seal Beach, and portions of Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Woods. Incumbent Katie Porter is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate. In 2022, Porter defeated former Assemblymember Republican Scott Baugh by 3.44% in this “toss-up” district. State Senator Dave Min currently represents over 80% of Congressional District 47 in Sacramento. In 2020, Min received over 158,000 votes within CA-47, defeating incumbent John Moorlach by 5.15% in this area. 19% of the registered voters in CA-47 are of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, including one of the largest Korean-American populations in the country.