Jay Chen

Jay Chen
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, community leader
Known for	Democratic candidate for California's 45th congressional district (2022)

Jay Chen is an American politician, community leader, and Democratic Party candidate who ran for the United States House of Representatives in California's 45th congressional district in the 2022 general election. Chen challenged incumbent Republican Representative Michelle Steel in a race that drew national attention for its focus on Asian American voters and the political dynamics of Orange County, California. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "a longtime community leader" who is "thoughtful, collaborative and mission-driven," Chen emerged as a prominent figure in Southern California Democratic politics during the 2022 election cycle. The race between Chen and Steel was widely covered by national media outlets, including NPR, which highlighted the contest as one that hinged on the support of Asian American communities in Southern California.

Career

2022 Congressional Campaign

Jay Chen ran as a Democrat in the 2022 election for California's 45th Congressional District. In the June 2022 California primary election, Chen advanced to the general election, where he was set to face incumbent Republican Representative Michelle Steel.

The 45th Congressional District, located in Southern California, encompasses communities in Orange County that are home to significant Asian American populations. According to NPR, the district includes the largest Vietnamese community in the United States, making the contest between Chen and Steel a focal point for discussions about Asian American political engagement and representation. The race attracted national media attention as both candidates — Chen, a Democrat of Taiwanese descent, and Steel, a Republican of Korean descent — sought to appeal to the district's diverse Asian American electorate.

The dynamics of the race reflected broader national trends regarding Asian American political participation. NPR's coverage emphasized that the outcome of the contest was expected to hinge on how Asian American voters in the district would cast their ballots, given the community's growing political influence in Southern California and across the country.

Los Angeles Times Endorsement

In October 2022, the Los Angeles Times editorial board endorsed Jay Chen in the race for California's 45th Congressional District. The endorsement described Chen as "a longtime community leader" and characterized him as "thoughtful, collaborative and mission-driven." The endorsement from one of Southern California's largest and most influential newspapers signaled the editorial board's confidence in Chen's qualifications and policy positions for representing the district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Community Leadership

Prior to and concurrent with his congressional campaign, Jay Chen was recognized for his involvement in community leadership in Southern California. The Los Angeles Times endorsement specifically referenced his long record as a community leader in the region, though it did not enumerate specific positions or organizations.

Recognition

Jay Chen's 2022 congressional campaign received significant media coverage from both local and national news organizations. The race was covered by outlets including NPR, the Los Angeles Times, and LAist, reflecting the national significance of the contest in the context of Asian American political representation and the competitive nature of Orange County's congressional districts.

The Los Angeles Times editorial board's endorsement of Chen in October 2022 represented a notable recognition of his candidacy and qualifications. NPR's coverage of the race as one of the key congressional contests of the 2022 midterm election cycle further elevated the profile of Chen's campaign on the national stage.