Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California’s 27th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held a seat in Congress since 2009, representing California’s 32nd congressional district until redistricting. Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. Congress.[1][2]
Chu was elected to the California Board of Equalization from 2007 to 2009, representing the 4th district.[3] She had previously served on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education, Monterey Park City Council (with five terms as mayor) and California State Assembly. Chu ran in the 32nd congressional district special election for the seat that was vacated by Hilda Solis after she was confirmed as President Obama’s Secretary of Labor in 2009.[4] She defeated Republican candidate Betty Tom Chu and Libertarian candidate Christopher Agrella in a runoff election on July 14, 2009.[5] Chu was redistricted to the 27th district in 2012, but was still reelected to a third term, defeating Republican challenger Jack Orswell.
