Judy Chu

Judy Chu
Born	Judy May Chu 7 7, 1953
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	U.S. Representative for California's 28th congressional district
Known for	First Chinese American woman elected to the United States Congress
Website	[https://chu.house.gov Official site]

Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 28th congressional district since 2023, and previously represented the state's 32nd and 27th congressional districts beginning in 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, Chu holds the distinction of being the first Chinese American woman elected to the United States Congress. Before entering federal office, Chu built an extensive career in California state and local government, serving on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education, the Monterey Park City Council — where she served three terms as mayor — and in the California State Assembly representing the 49th district. She was also elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006, representing the 4th district. Chu won her congressional seat in a July 2009 special election to replace Hilda Solis, who had been confirmed as Secretary of Labor in the Obama administration. Throughout her congressional tenure, Chu has focused on issues including immigration reform, civil rights, anti-racial profiling legislation, and support for the entertainment industry. She represents a district in the San Gabriel Valley and Pasadena area of Los Angeles County.

Early Life

Judy May Chu was born on July 7, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. She is of Chinese descent, and her Chinese name is 趙美心 (Zhào Měixīn). Chu grew up in the Los Angeles area, where she was raised in a Chinese American family. Her early life in the diverse communities of Southern California shaped her interest in public service and civic engagement, particularly around issues affecting Asian American communities and immigrant populations.

Chu's path into politics began at the local level, where she first became involved in education governance. She served on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education, a role that introduced her to the intersection of public policy and community needs in the San Gabriel Valley. This early experience in local governance laid the groundwork for her subsequent political career in municipal, state, and eventually federal government.

Career

Local Government

Chu's political career began with her service on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education, where she gained experience in education policy and local governance. She subsequently served on the Monterey Park City Council, where she held the position of mayor for three separate terms. As mayor of Monterey Park — a city in the San Gabriel Valley known for its large Asian American population — Chu became a prominent figure in local politics and developed a reputation as an advocate for the community's diverse residents.

California State Assembly

In 2001, Chu was elected to the California State Assembly, where she represented the 49th district. She succeeded Gloria Romero in the seat and served until November 30, 2006, when she was succeeded by Mike Eng. During her time in the State Assembly, Chu outlined her political philosophy as centered on education, healthcare, and community safety.

California State Board of Equalization

After leaving the State Assembly due to term limits, Chu was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in November 2006, taking office on January 3, 2007. She represented the 4th district on the Board, succeeding John Chiang. The Board of Equalization is a constitutionally established body responsible for overseeing county property tax assessment practices and collecting sales and use taxes, among other tax administration duties. Chu served in this capacity until July 14, 2009, when she resigned following her election to Congress. She was succeeded on the Board by Jerome Horton.

U.S. House of Representatives

2009 Special Election

In early 2009, Hilda Solis, who represented California's 32nd congressional district, was confirmed as United States Secretary of Labor in President Barack Obama's cabinet, creating a vacancy in the district. Chu entered the special election to fill the seat. The race drew national attention in part because of the historical significance of a potential Chinese American woman serving in Congress.

On July 14, 2009, Chu won the special election runoff, defeating Republican candidate Betty Tom Chu and Libertarian candidate Christopher Agrella. With her victory, Judy Chu became the first Chinese American woman elected to the United States Congress, a milestone in the history of Asian American political representation. She took office on July 14, 2009, as the representative for California's 32nd congressional district, succeeding Solis.

Redistricting and Subsequent Elections

Following the 2010 Census and subsequent redistricting in California, Chu's district was redrawn and renumbered. In 2012, she was redistricted to the 27th congressional district but won reelection to a third full term, defeating Republican challenger Jack Orswell. She continued to represent the 27th district from 2013 through 2022. Following another round of redistricting after the 2020 Census, Chu's district was renumbered as the 28th congressional district, which she has represented since 2023.

Chu has won reelection in each subsequent cycle, consistently representing communities in the San Gabriel Valley and the greater Pasadena area of Los Angeles County.

Legislative Work and Priorities

Throughout her congressional tenure, Chu has focused on a range of policy areas including immigration, civil rights, racial profiling, and support for the creative economy.

Civil Rights and Racial Profiling

Chu has been a vocal advocate against racial profiling. In 2011, she spoke in favor of protections against racial profiling in the context of counter-terrorism legislation. She raised concerns about HR 963, the See Something, Say Something Act, arguing that it could enable discrimination against minority communities under the guise of national security.

Immigration

Immigration has been a central focus of Chu's congressional career. As a representative of a district with a large immigrant population, she has introduced and championed multiple pieces of legislation aimed at immigration reform and the protection of immigrant communities.

In February 2026, Chu introduced H.R. 7608, the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2026, a bill aimed at providing deportation relief for certain Southeast Asian individuals in the United States.

In February 2026, Chu also released a statement criticizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) for announcing a ban on green card holders accessing certain SBA programs, calling the decision "discriminatory and economically reckless" and stating that it "betrays [the] American Dream."

Chu has been critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under the Trump administration. In January 2026, she voted against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, citing what she described as "unchecked violence and civil rights abuses" by ICE.

Entertainment Industry

Chu has championed legislation to support the American entertainment industry. In August 2025, she introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill designed to support U.S. film, television, and sound recording production, reflecting the economic significance of the entertainment industry in her Southern California district.

Trade and Tariffs

In February 2026, Chu applauded a Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources v. Trump that struck down certain tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, stating that the ruling confirmed that the president did not have authority to impose the tariffs in question.

Government Funding

Chu has been critical of government shutdowns resulting from congressional budget disputes. In September 2025, she released a statement criticizing what she termed the "Republican Shutdown," opposing the lapse in government funding.

Disaster Response and Community Advocacy

Chu has been active in responding to natural disasters affecting her district. In November 2025, she issued a statement regarding new findings of lead and asbestos contamination in homes affected by the Eaton Fire, advocating for the safety and rights of fire survivors in the Pasadena area.

Community Engagement

Chu has maintained active engagement with constituents through programs such as the Congressional App Challenge. In January 2026, she announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students in California's 28th district, an initiative designed to encourage young people to learn computer science and coding skills.

Ethics Matter

In December 2014, the House Ethics Committee issued a rebuke to Chu related to a matter under the committee's review. The details of the rebuke were published in the committee's records.

Personal Life

Chu resides in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, in the community she represents in Congress. She has been a long-standing member of the Asian American community in Southern California and has been active in organizations and causes related to Asian American civic life.

Her Chinese name, 趙美心 (Zhào Měixīn), reflects her Chinese heritage. Chu has spoken publicly about the importance of her cultural background in shaping her political career and her commitment to representing diverse communities.

Recognition

Chu's election to Congress in 2009 was recognized as a milestone in Asian American political history, as she became the first Chinese American woman to serve in the United States Congress. Her career spanning local school board governance, city council service, state legislative office, and federal office has made her one of the most prominent Chinese American elected officials in the United States.

Her work on civil rights, immigration, and anti-racial profiling legislation has drawn attention from advocacy organizations and media outlets focused on Asian American affairs.

Legacy

As the first Chinese American woman elected to the United States Congress, Chu's career represents a significant development in the political representation of Asian Americans in the federal government. Her path from local school board member to city council member and mayor, to state legislator, to state tax board member, and finally to the U.S. House of Representatives illustrates a progression through multiple levels of government that has been cited as an example of sustained civic engagement within the Asian American community.

Chu's congressional tenure, which has spanned multiple presidential administrations and multiple redistrictings of her Southern California seat, has positioned her as a consistent voice on issues including immigration reform, civil rights protections, opposition to racial profiling, and advocacy for the entertainment industry. Her district in the San Gabriel Valley and Pasadena area includes one of the largest concentrations of Asian American residents in the nation, and her representation of this community at the federal level has contributed to the broader visibility of Asian American political participation.

Her introduction of legislation such as the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2026 and her advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities reflect a legislative focus that has remained consistent throughout her time in Congress.