Summary
Current Position: Lieutenant Commander in United States Navy Reserves, and a small business owner.
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2023 US Representative for District 45
OnAir Post: Jay Chen
About
Source: Campaign page
THE CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS FROM TAIWAN, JAY ATTENDED LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EARNED A NAVY ROTC SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
After working and studying in Latin America and Asia, he joined a global strategy consulting firm, where he worked extensively with Fortune 500 businesses in the software and logistics industries to manage mergers, build new products, and streamline operations before moving home and starting his own local real estate business.
JAY UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND EDUCATION SO THAT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT SCHOOL AND SERVICE IN THE NAVAL RESERVES PROVIDED HIM.
As a school board member he created free college application workshops, free SAT classes and dual language Spanish and Mandarin language programs to ensure all students have a chance to thrive and succeed.
IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVES, IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN, YOU WORK TOGETHER TO COMPLETE THE MISSION, AND JAY HAS SERVED HONORABLY FROM THE KOREAN PENINSULA TO THE MIDDLE EAST.
As part of Operation Inherent Resolve Lieutenant Commander Chen led an intelligence team and brought justice to the terror group ISIS, and he played a key role in the military’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East.
JAY WILL WORK TO RESTORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY IN CONGRESS. HE WILL STAND UP TO INSURANCE AND DRUG COMPANIES TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND COVID-19 TESTING AND TREATMENT FREE.
He will fight to increase the size and scope of small business loans so that our local economy can recover, and work across the aisle to invest in education, strengthen our supply chains, and reduce inflation. He will also stand up for our veterans and ensure that they have access to quality healthcare and jobs after they complete their service to our country.
Web
Campaign Site, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram
Politics
Source: none
Finances
CHEN, JAY has run in 2 races for public office, winning 0 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $836,163.
Source: Follow the Money
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
Issues
Source: Campaign page
He’s running for Congress in California’s 45th Congressional district because Washington is broken. As our community struggles to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, career politicians are more interested in serving themselves and their partisan agenda rather than serving the people who elected them.
Democracy & Governance
Jay led an intelligence team in the fight against the terrorist group ISIS and understands the critical role the United States plays as a beacon of democracy and as a leader on human rights. He also saw firsthand the damage done to our credibility when allies were shunned and autocrats were courted by the last administration.
We must restore our standing in the world and among our allies by upholding human rights and democratic principles here at home, by honoring our commitments to our international partners, and by holding to account those who abuse human rights and flout international law. As a member of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, he is proud to be part of the military command ensuring security for our democratic allies in the Western Pacific.
At home, the right to vote must be protected at all cost. When voters are suppressed and disenfranchised the soul of our democracy is threatened. In Congress Jay will work to pass legislation that strengthens voting rights, fights discriminatory policies, and bolsters public confidence in our democratic system.
Economy & Jobs
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
Small businesses are the fabric of our community. Jay grew up helping with his family’s small business and he is a small business owner himself; he knows these businesses have been hit the hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to struggle to keep their doors open amidst changing regulations.
In Congress Jay will increase programs that assist small businesses in obtaining the resources they need to stay open in their communities. He will also support efforts to streamline the opening of new businesses and fight for policies that make it more attractive for entrepreneurs to grow their companies here in California.
TACKLING RISING COSTS
Jay knows that even small price increases of everyday goods can be difficult for families’ budgets and is committed to lowering costs for working Americans.
The United States must work to reduce prices while rebuilding our country and creating millions of good-paying jobs in the process.
Environment & Energy
INFRASTRUCTURE
Jay knows that maintaining roads and bridges and modernizing transit and railway systems creates good local jobs and is a critical investment in our future. Investing in America’s infrastructure is the best way to improve and create sustainable, clean transportation options for millions of Americans who commute daily while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gridlock.
Jay will work to improve transportation options and tackle traffic bottlenecks so that Southern California residents can spend more time with their families and less time on the road. He will also ensure that our infrastructure dollars are not just used to widen freeways, but will expand public transit, bike, and pedestrian pathways as well.
Our reliance on lead pipes and service lines has gone on far too long. Millions of Americans go without clean drinking water including 400,000 schools and childcare facilities. In Congress Jay will fight to replace these pipes and work to ensure every child has clean drinking water.
Health & Education
HEALTHCARE
Every American deserves quality affordable and accessible health care with lower out-of-pocket expenses and premiums. By expanding and investing in healthcare coverage we can improve it instead of dismantling it, and protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. No family should ever have to make the choice between paying an emergency medical bill or putting food on the table. In Congress ensuring that every American has quality affordable coverage will be my top priority.
The United States spends more money on healthcare than almost any other country in the world and we have little to show for it. If we want this to change, we must reduce hospital and pharmaceutical costs through managed competition and create a public option to lower costs and compete with private insurance.
As the child of Taiwanese immigrants who escaped martial law and worked hard to make the U.S. their home, it is inconceivable that Americans often must leave this country to obtain more affordable healthcare services abroad. The United States is the greatest country in the world and we can and must do better.
Read Jay Chen’s health care plan here >>>
EDUCATION
As a community college trustee and former school board member, Jay is committed to expanding educational opportunities for all. In Congress Jay will work to ensure that local public schools receive the resources and funding they need to reduce class sizes, invest in STEM programs, and hire exceptional teachers. He knows we can do better by investing in neighborhood schools to guarantee all children have equal access to a quality education. Jay will also support the expansion of early childhood education. A child’s future prospects should not depend upon the zip code that they grow up in.
Jay is committed to creating safe and supportive school environments for students and educators. He will work across the aisle to invest in education so our schools can safely remain open. Jay will work hard to ensure all students have a safe, healthy school environment.
Jay believes the path to higher education should be more equitable and attainable for any person seeking a college education. Jay supports efforts to make college more affordable and accessible to everyone, no matter their background or income level.
Human Rights
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Jay believes that reproductive rights should be protected at all cost and health care decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, without interference from politicians. Attacks on Roe vs Wade and the right to an abortion endangers the health and safety of women across the country. All women should have the right and ability to safely end an unintended pregnancy.
In Congress Jay will support legislation to expand funding for reproductive healthcare services like Planned Parenthood as well as services that provide preventative health care, education and access to contraceptives. This is critical for achieving gender equity.
Jay will fight to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act which aims to increase pay equity along gender and racial lines. He will work to ensure that every family has the security to take the time they need to care for their loved ones by promoting paid family leave, and that all parents can return to work through the expansion of childcare options.
Public Safety
VETERAN SERVICES
As a Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserves, Jay understands the importance of supporting our veterans, those currently serving, and their families.
The men and women who have fought for our country deserve the best healthcare and support services. That’s why in Congress Jay will work to streamline the VA, make it easier for younger veterans to enter the system, ensure quicker access to treatment, and make sure that all veterans can access the health care they deserve.
One homeless veteran is one too many. We must support and fund programs that ensure housing for the men and women who have given so much to serve and protect our country. Jay supports expanding mental health and suicide prevention services for all those who sacrifice for our country.
