Democrat Derek Tran has defeated Republican incumbent Michelle Steel for a House seat representing California’s Orange County and Los Angeles, NBC News projects, after a contentious race that centered on the candidates’ Asian American identities and use of aggressive anti-China messaging.

In a major victory for Democrats, first-time candidate Derek Tran defeated Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a hotly contested Orange County congressional race that became one of the most expensive in the country.

Derek Tran defeated Rep. Michelle Steel in California’s 45th congressional district, The Associated Press called Wednesday afternoon. Steel, a two-term incumbent, conceded to Derek Tran Wednesday, Nov. 27, after a long slog of a race, shortly before the race was called around 1 p.m.