By Brandy Bailey, ElectWomen Magazine Contributor

Yes it is.  With the special election primary set for May 19^th Dr. Judy Chu has a chance of winning the congressional seat that was vacated by Hilda Solis when President Obama appointed her Secretary of Labor.

The 32^nd Congressional district is located in Los Angeles County and includes parts of East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.  Demographically the city is 63% Latino, 19% Asian Pacific Islander and 15% white.

Dr. Chu grew up in south central Los Angeles.  Her father was born in the U.S., but her mother is from the Canton province of China.  Her mother barely spoke English when she came to the United States; she worked hard and eventually became a member of the Teamsters.  As a result of observing her mother’s struggles despite working hard Chu developed a great appreciation for the challenges immigrants go through.

Even though there are many cultural differences between Latinos and Chinese-Americans Dr. Chu has been elected nine times over the past 23 years in various positions representing different parts of the District. She started as a board member for the Garvey School District from 1985 to 1988.  From there she went on to serve the Monterey Park City Council for 13 years from 1988 to 2001, and served three terms as mayor.  From 2001 to 2006 she served in the California State Assembly representing the Western San Gabriel Valley.  After that she was elected to the California Board of Equalization in November of 2006 and was unanimously voted vice chair in January 2009.

When asked why she continues to be so passionate about serving this district Dr. Chu stated, “The San Gabriel Valley is my home. I can say that I am the only candidate in this race that has lived in and been elected to represent portions of the 32nd District for the last 23 years. I understand the needs and the issues that face the residents of the San Gabriel Valley. Indeed, I have faced those issues alongside my fellow San Gabriel Valley residents everyday. I have been stuck in the endless traffic that chokes our local freeways. I have shared with them the cost of cleaning up our polluted drinking water and our dirty air. I have seen our neighbors lose their jobs, and even their homes because of unscrupulous banks and fast and loose lending practices.
And I know that I have the legislative and fiscal experience, the negotiating and coalition-building skills needed to be a champion for San Gabriel Valley residents in Congress and to help our entire state and nation emerge from our current economic crisis. My fellow citizens know that, having elected me to local and state office nine times over the past 23 years. The more than 75 local elected officials who have endorsed my bid for Congress know that. It is their support, and the knowledge that I have made a difference and can continue to make a difference on their behalf, that keeps me going.”

She is highly regarded by many state level officials including California controller John Chiang who has called her a “Step forward for America” and “a tenacious leader who makes things happen.” She has won the endorsement of all three Assembly members that cover the district. 

While Secretary Solis will not endorse a candidate in this race, her family’s support of Dr. Chu has been perceived as a tacit passing of the torch.  She has also received the majority of labor endorsements including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Los Angeles County Labor Federation, and Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers of America.  She was also endorsed by Emily’s List for her more than 20 years of public service and proven track record of working to improve women’s lives.  Recently, she also received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party; a major accomplishment given that there are eight Democrats in the race.

“I have truly been humbled and honored by the growing list of support behind my campaign. The endorsement of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and more than 75 mayors, councilmembers and school board members representing the 32nd District, the California Democratic Party, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the California Teachers Association, EMILY’s List and all the Democratic groups in the Congressional District, all speak volumes. It says that people know me, they know that I am not only a fighter but also a pragmatic negotiator, and that I will get results. I pledge that my priority, if elected to Congress, will be to stop the economic pain people are experiencing in this district and throughout the nation, and to use my fiscal expertise to be a problem solver in Washington and make sure we get back to a state of economic health in this country.”

Chu will have to earn more than 50 percent of the vote in order to win the seat.  Anything less than 50 percent means the top vote getters from each party will go on to battle it out in the general election on July 14th.  However, with registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans 2 to 1 the Democratic nominee is expected to win the seat and with her proven track record of winning in this District and momentum from endorsements Dr. Judy Chu might just be the next Congresswoman from California.

To read more about or to contribute to Judy Chu, visit: http://www.judychu.net/