Judy Chu

Judy Chu Bio

Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician and academic serving as the U.S. representative for California’s 28th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held a seat in Congress since 2009, previously representing the 32nd and 27th districts after redistricting. Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. Congress.

Before her time in Washington, Chu built a long career in California public service, including three terms as mayor of Monterey Park, a seat in the California State Assembly, and a position on the California State Board of Equalization. Trained as a psychologist, she taught in the Los Angeles Community College District for two decades. She is widely recognized for her advocacy on civil rights, immigrant issues, and Asian American community concerns.

Early Life and Background

Judy May Chu was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 7, 1953, the second of four children. Her mother, May Lin, was brought to the United States from her ancestral home in Xinhui County, China, as a war bride in 1948. Her father, Judson Chu, was born in Chico, California, to Chinese parents from Jiangmen, Guangdong, and served during World War II with the 10th Army Corps in Okinawa. The family eventually settled in South Los Angeles, near 62nd Street and Normandie Avenue, where Chu spent her early childhood.

When Chu was in her early teen years, the family relocated to the Bay Area. She graduated from Buchser High School in Santa Clara, California, in 1970. In 1974, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She went on to complete a Ph.D. in psychology in 1979 from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University’s Los Angeles campus.

Path to US Politics

Chu’s entry into public service began in education. In 1985, she won her first elected position on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education in Rosemead, California. This role gave her early experience in representing community interests and managing public institutions, laying the groundwork for her later transition into municipal government.

In 1988, Chu was elected to the Monterey Park City Council. She became Mayor of Monterey Park in 1989 and served three terms, holding the position until 1994. After two unsuccessful bids for the California State Assembly in 1994 and 1998, she won a special Assembly election on May 15, 2001. Reelected to a full term in 2002 and again in 2004, she represented a district covering several Los Angeles County communities, including Alhambra, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel.

Judy Chu Career

Early Career (1985–2006)

Chu’s first major leadership role came in 1988 when she joined the Monterey Park City Council. She was elected mayor in 1989 and held the position for three terms. During this period, she also taught psychology in the Los Angeles Community College District for 20 years, including 13 years at East Los Angeles College, balancing her academic career with public office.

Term limits prevented her from seeking a third Assembly term in 2006. That same year, she won election to the California State Board of Equalization from the 4th district, representing most of Los Angeles County. Her steady progression through school board, city council, mayoral office, state assembly, and state board reflected a long commitment to progressive local governance.

Congressional Breakthrough (2009–2012)

Chu’s national career began when U.S. Representative Hilda Solis was confirmed as President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Labor in 2009, creating a vacancy in California’s 32nd congressional district. Chu led the field in the May 19 special election with 32% of the vote, just short of the 50% needed to win outright. In the July 14, 2009, runoff, she defeated Republican Betty Chu 62% to 33%.

She was sworn into office and won her first full term later that year with 71% of the vote, reflecting the district’s strong Democratic tilt. Her victory made history: Chu became the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. In 2012, redistricting moved her into the 27th congressional district, where she defeated Republican Jack Orswell 64% to 36%.

California’s 28th District Era (2013–Present)

Chu continued to win reelection in the redrawn 27th district and later the 28th district, cementing her reputation as a consistent Democratic voice. In one of her recent elections, she won reelection over fellow Democrat Bryan Witt by a 79.2% to 20.8% margin, in a race featuring only Democrats on the midterm ballot. She later won her seventh term over Republican Johnny J. Nalbandian by 69.8% to 30.2%.

As of October 2022, Chu had voted in line with President Joe Biden’s stated position 100% of the time. During the 117th Congress, she voted with President Biden’s position 99.1% of the time, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. She has also been an active voice on international matters, condemning Azerbaijan’s offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and signing a 2020 letter calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Notable Events and Milestones

Chu’s career includes several defining moments, including her historic 2009 swearing-in as the first Chinese American woman in Congress. In December 2017, she was arrested during a protest outside the U.S. Capitol. In 2019, she was named honorary chairwoman of the Forums for Peaceful Reunification of China. She has consistently advocated for Planned Parenthood funding, opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and supported providing Israel with assistance following the October 7 attacks, while also voting against certain military aid packages in 2024.

Judy Chu Career Wins

Judy May Chu has built a strong record of electoral victories at every level of California politics, from local school board races to her ongoing service in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her wins reflect consistent support from constituents in heavily Democratic districts across Los Angeles County.

Congressional Election Highlights

Chu first won her congressional seat in a 2009 special election runoff against Republican Betty Chu, prevailing 62% to 33%. She has since been repeatedly reelected, including victories over Republican Jack Orswell in the 27th district and over fellow Democrat Bryan Witt. Her most recent successful reelection was a 69.8% to 30.2% win over Republican Johnny J. Nalbandian.

Other Wins & Achievements

Before her congressional career, Chu won election to the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education in 1985, the Monterey Park City Council in 1988, and the California State Assembly in 2001. She also won election to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006. Her early mayoral tenure in Monterey Park made her one of the first Chinese American women to lead a major U.S. city.

Judy Chu Family

Family Background and Public Service Lineage

Chu was raised in a Chinese American family shaped by immigration and military service. Her father, Judson Chu, served during World War II in the 10th Army Corps in Okinawa and later brought his wife, May Lin, from China to the United States. In December 2019, Chu and her brother Dean Chu donated $375,000 to the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles, reflecting the family’s ongoing commitment to preserving Chinese American history.

Personal Life

Judy May Chu married Mike Eng in 1978, and the couple resides in Monterey Park, California. Eng took Chu’s seat on the Monterey Park City Council in 2001 and later took her seat in the California State Assembly in 2006. Chu’s nephew, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Harry Lew, died by suicide in Afghanistan on April 3, 2011, and Chu has spoken publicly about seeking justice for those responsible. She is one of three Unitarian Universalists serving in Congress.