Michelle Steel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle Steel
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Harley Rouda |
| Succeeded by | Derek Tran |
| Constituency | 48th district (2021–2023) 45th district (2023–2025) |
| Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors | |
| In office January 14, 2020 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Lisa Bartlett |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Do |
| In office January 10, 2017 – January 9, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Lisa Bartlett |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Do |
| Member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district |
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| In office January 5, 2015 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | John Moorlach |
| Succeeded by | Katrina Foley |
| Member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 3rd district |
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| In office January 5, 2007 – January 5, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Claude Parrish |
| Succeeded by | Diane Harkey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michelle Eunjoo Park
June 21, 1955 Seoul, South Korea |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Shawn Steel
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Pepperdine University (BA) University of Southern California (MBA) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
박은주
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| Hanja |
朴銀珠
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| RR | Bak Eunju |
| MR | Pak Ŭnju |
Michelle Eunjoo Steel (born June 21, 1955) is an American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for California. She represented the 48th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. Later, she represented the 45th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.
She is a member of the Republican Party. She also served on the Whip Team for the 117th Congress. This team helps the House minority whip, Steve Scalise. Michelle Steel ran for re-election in 2024 but was defeated by Derek Tran.
Before joining Congress, Steel was a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from 2015 to 2021. She also served on the California State Board of Equalization from 2007 to 2015. Michelle Steel, along with Young Kim and Marilyn Strickland, made history. They were the first Korean-American women to serve in the U.S. Congress.
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Early Life and Education
Steel was born in Seoul, South Korea. Her father was born in Shanghai. His parents were Korean expatriates.
Michelle Steel received her education in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She earned a business degree from Pepperdine University. She also has an MBA from the University of Southern California. She can speak Korean, Japanese, and English.
California Political Career
Michelle Steel has been very active in the Republican Party. She also served on different committees during the George W. Bush presidency.
State Board of Equalization
Steel was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006. This board handles tax administration for California. She was the highest-ranking Korean American officeholder in the country. She was also California's highest-ranking Republican woman.
She represented over eight million people in the 3rd district. This district included several counties. In 2011, she became the vice chair of the Board of Equalization.
Orange County Supervisor Role
In 2014, Steel was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors. This board governs Orange County, California. She represented the 2nd district.
In 2019, President Donald Trump appointed her to a special commission. This commission focused on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Steel led the Orange County Board of Supervisors twice. She was chair in 2017 and again in 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she disagreed with some rules. She opposed requiring face masks in Orange County. She also voted against mask rules for store workers and in schools.
U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Elections
2020 Election
In 2020, Steel ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. She ran in California's 48th congressional district. She won the election against the incumbent Democrat, Harley Rouda.
During her campaign, Steel spoke against COVID-19 mask mandates. She also opposed same-sex marriage. She was a conservative politician. She supported President Donald Trump.
2022 Election
In 2021, Steel announced she would run in a new district. This was California's 45th congressional district. She won against Democratic nominee Jay Chen in November 2022.
2024 Election
Steel ran for re-election in 2024. She was defeated by Derek Tran in the general election.
Time in Congress
Michelle Steel was part of a group called the Freedom Force. This group was a Republican response to a Democratic group.
In January 2021, Steel tested positive for COVID-19. She used her experience to argue for opening schools and businesses.
Steel did not vote on the certification of Joe Biden's election victory. She voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump. In February 2021, she called for California schools to reopen.
She voted against the Equality Act in February 2021. This bill aimed to prevent discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. She also voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This was a large COVID-19 relief bill.
In March 2021, Steel introduced a bill. It aimed to stop federal money for California's high-speed rail project. She called the project a "failure."
Steel joined other Republicans in 2021. In July 2022, she voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. This act would require the U.S. government to recognize same-sex marriages.
In September 2023, Steel supported a bill about mental health. It aimed to help Medicare beneficiaries get mental health services.
Committee Roles
For the 118th Congress, Steel served on important committees:
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Work and Welfare
- Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party
Post-Congressional Activities
In February 2025, Steel was appointed to a special commission. This commission will study creating a new national museum. The museum would focus on the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Personal Life
In 1981, Michelle Steel married Shawn Steel. He was the chairman of the California Republican Party from 2001 to 2003. He has been a Republican National Committeeman since 2008. They have two daughters. They live in Seal Beach, California. Michelle Steel is a Protestant Christian.
Images for kids
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Steel during her tenure as Orange County Supervisor in 2014.
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2021 portrait of Steel during the 117th United States Congress.
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Steel with her husband, former California Republican Party chair Shawn Steel, in 2018.
