Michelle Steel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michelle Steel
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025
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 1, 2020 – January 1, 2021
Preceded by	Lisa Bartlett
Succeeded by	Andrew Do
In office January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Preceded by	Lisa Bartlett
Succeeded by	Andrew Do
Member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district
In office January 5, 2015 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	John Moorlach
Succeeded by	Katrina Foley
Member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 3rd district
In office January 5, 2007 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by	Claude Parrish
Succeeded by	Diane Harkey
Personal details
Born	Michelle Eunjoo Park (1955-06-21) June 21, 1955 (age 69) 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
Hanja	朴銀珠
Revised Romanization	Bak Eunju
McCune–Reischauer	Pak Ŭnju

Michelle Eunjoo Steel (born June 21, 1955) is an American politician. She served as a U.S. representative for California's 45th congressional district from 2023 to 2025. Before that, she represented the 48th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. She is a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Michelle 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 as the first Korean-American women to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Early Life and Education

Michelle Steel was born in Seoul, South Korea. Her father was born in Shanghai to Korean parents living abroad. Michelle Steel received her education in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She earned a degree in business from Pepperdine University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Southern California. She can speak Korean and Japanese fluently.

California Politics

Michelle Steel has been actively involved in the Republican Party. She also served on various groups during the time George W. Bush was president.

California State Board of Equalization

In 2006, Michelle Steel was elected to the California State Board of Equalization. This board helps manage taxes in California. During her time on the board, she was the highest-ranking Korean American officeholder in the country. She was also the highest-ranking Republican woman in California. She represented over eight million people in the 3rd district, which included several counties like Orange and San Diego. In 2011, she became the vice chair of the Board of Equalization.

Orange County Board of Supervisors

Steel during her time as Orange County Supervisor in 2014.

In 2014, Michelle Steel was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors. This group helps govern Orange County. She represented the 2nd district.

In March 2018, she was the only elected official to greet President Donald Trump when he visited California. In 2019, President Trump appointed her to a special commission that advises on issues for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Michelle Steel led the Orange County Board of Supervisors as chair in 2017 and again in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she expressed concerns about requiring face masks in Orange County. She also voted against requiring masks for retail workers and in public schools.

In 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved plans that could lead to more private jet flights at John Wayne Airport. Also in 2020, Michelle Steel was involved in a program to provide meals for senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. An audit later showed that the meals provided in her district were more expensive than in other parts of Orange County.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020 Election

In 2020, Michelle Steel ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for California's 48th congressional district. She won the election against the person who was already in office, Harley Rouda, with 51.1% of the votes.

2022 Election

Because of changes to district maps, Michelle Steel decided to run in California's 45th congressional district in 2022. She was supported by other important Republican leaders. Michelle Steel won against her opponent, Jay Chen, in the election on November 8, 2022.

2024 Election

Michelle Steel ran for re-election in 2024 but was defeated by Derek Tran.

Time in Office

2021 portrait of Steel during the 117th United States Congress.

Michelle Steel was part of a group of Republican representatives called the Freedom Force.

In January 2021, Michelle Steel tested positive for COVID-19. She used her own experience with mild symptoms to argue for opening schools and businesses.

In early 2021, she called for schools in California to reopen. In March 2021, she introduced a bill that would stop federal money from being used for California's high-speed rail project, which she called a "failure."

In September 2023, Michelle Steel joined a group of lawmakers from both parties to support a bill focused on mental health. This bill aimed to help Medicare beneficiaries get mental health services in their regular doctor's offices.

Committee Assignments

For the 118th Congress, Michelle Steel was part of several 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

Caucus Memberships

Michelle Steel is also a member of these groups in Congress:

• Conservative Climate Caucus
• Republican Governance Group

Personal Life

Steel with her husband, Shawn Steel, in 2018.

In 1981, Michelle Steel married Shawn Steel. He later became the chairman of the California Republican Party from 2001 to 2003. They have two daughters and live in Seal Beach, California. Michelle Steel is a Christian.

Electoral History

See Also

• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• Asian American and Pacific Islands American conservatism in the United States
• Asian Americans in United States politics
• Women in the United States House of Representatives