Republican Young Kim, a former one-term Assemblywoman, is leading Democrat Gil Cisneros in one of the key House races in the country, California’s 39th Congressional District, according to election returns Tuesday, Nov. 6.

As of 1:45 a.m., Kim led Cisneros 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.

Though the race to represent a district that touches parts of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties (and is by some measures one of the most racially diverse in the country) includes local issues, it’s largely centered around immigration and President Donald Trump’s policies.

From left, U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA 39th District), Kelly Kim, Hannah Kim, Alvin Kim, Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim, Christina Kim and Charles Kim pose for a portrait at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Gil and his wife, Jacki Cisneros share a kiss on the podium after addressing about 200 people at the Cisneros’ election night party in Fullerton on Tuesday November, 6 2018. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

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Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim (center left) speaks to guest as she arrives to the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Candidate Gil Cisneros supporters, Harry Langenbacher, left, Deborah Lagenbacher, center both from Fullerton and Harriet Edwards, right, check out results at Cisneros’ election night party in Fullerton on Tuesday November, 6 2018. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim (left) is hugged by her husband Charles Kim on stage at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)



Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim speaks to guest late into the morning at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Wednesday November 7, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim stands on the stage as U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA 39th District) introduces her at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Gil Cisneros and his wife, Jacki, thank the volunteers, workers and friends at the Cisneros’ election night party in Fullerton on Tuesday November, 6 2018. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim (left) stands next to Representative Ed Royce (R-CA 39th District) during an interview at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

From left, Rowland Heights Republican Field Representative Saga Conroy, Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim and volunteer Ian Cho (15) pose for a portrait at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Wednesday November 7, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)



La Habra resident Micheal Navarro waits for Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim to appear on stage at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim (center) arrives with (from left) her son Alvin, daughter Kelly, husband Charles and daughter Christina at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Harriet Edwards of Brea wears an Obama T-Shirt as she watches election results and awaits the arrival of Gil Cisneros at the Cisneros’ election night party in Fullerton on Tuesday November, 6 2018. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim speaks to reports late into the morning while waiting for election results at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Wednesday November 7, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Chino Hills resident Lea Tianat takes a nap while waiting for the elections results at a gathering for Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Wednesday November 7, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)



Republican candidate for California’s 39th Congressional District Young Kim (right) speaks to the crowd while (from left) her son Alvin, daughter Christina and husband Charles watch from the back at the STC Center Banquet Hall in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Tuesday November 6, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

The retirement of Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, left the seat open. The district is one of seven GOP-held seats in California that favored Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election that national Democrats are now targeting in their effort to take control of the house.

On Monday, data released by the California Secretary of State indicated that voter registration in the 39th now favors Democrats, slightly, over Republicans and those who register as no party preference. Outside political forecasters have given Cisneros — a lottery winner and philanthropist — a slight edge over Kim, but all polls show a race within the margin of error.

Of the targeted seats, the 39th is the most diverse, with Asians and Latinos each comprising about a quarter of registered voters. It is also the only competitive district in the region with two minority candidates.

Kim, a longtime community liaison to Royce, helped form the Asian Pacific Congressional Advisory council, helping local Asian leaders communicate with federal officials. Kim has touted her local small-business background, work helping local schools and benefits of GOP tax cuts.

Cisneros, meanwhile, is a newcomer to the district, having moved to Yorba Linda last year. He holds an MBA and won a $266 million lottery in 2010. He emphasizes his philanthropic work helping Hispanic students go to college and has criticized President Donald Trump’s tax reform and tariffs.

Earlier this year, Cisneros was accused of sexual harassment. But the accuser, former Assembly candidate Melissa Fazli, a Democrat, later rescinded the allegation, saying it was a misunderstanding.