Phillip ChenIncumbent
Candidate for Assembly District 59
Phillip Chen is a Republican who holds the Assembly's 59th District seat. It covers parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties. This includes Brea, Yorba Linda, Chino, Chino Hills, and Fullerton. He first won this seat in 2016. He won again in 2018, 2020, and 2022. Before the Assembly, Chen won a school board seat. It was for Walnut Valley schools, in 2011. He won again in 2015. His past work spans many fields. He served as a reserve sheriff's deputy in L.A. County. He was named its top reserve deputy in 2009. He aided a former L.A. County supervisor on health rules. His name was Michael Antonovich. Governor Pete Wilson named him to a state justice panel. There he worked on youth crime programs. He served on a state board for physical therapy. He owns a firm that manages rental property. He has taught at USC's public policy school since 2013. He holds a bachelor's degree in Communications. It is from Cal State Fullerton. He holds a master's in public administration. It is from USC. He holds a doctorate in educational psychology too. It is from USC as well. In the Assembly, he is Deputy Whip for his party's caucus. He is Vice-Chair of the banking panel. He sits on four more panels. These cover business, insurance, jobs, and utilities. He now seeks another term. The vote is set for November 3, 2026. Home: Brea, California area; his district covers Yorba Linda, Brea, Chino, Chino Hills, Fullerton, Anaheim Hills, North Tustin, Orange, Placentia, and Villa Park. Occupation: state lawmaker; teaches at USC's public policy school; owns a property firm. Prior office: incumbent since 2016, District 59; won a Walnut Valley school board seat from 2011 to 2016.
On the issues
- Taxes & Cost of Living
Points to a record of fiscal responsibility, including turning a school district deficit into a surplus.
“Phillip has built a record of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and education reform — turning a school district deficit into a surplus”
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Cites public safety as a focus of his record in office.
“Phillip has built a record of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and education reform”
Source → - Education & Schools
Cites education reform as part of his record, including improving school district finances as a school board trustee.
“Phillip has built a record of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and education reform — turning a school district deficit into a surplus”
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports increasing energy supply and streamlining permitting.
“We need to increase energy supply, streamline permitting, reduce unnecessary regulations, and provide tax relief for middle-class families”
Source → - Economy & Jobs
Supports reducing what he calls unnecessary business regulations.
“We need to increase energy supply, streamline permitting, reduce unnecessary regulations, and provide tax relief for middle-class families”
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Supports tax relief for middle-class families.
“We need to increase energy supply, streamline permitting, reduce unnecessary regulations, and provide tax relief for middle-class families”
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.