Judy Chu ’74

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In July 2009, Judy Chu ’74 became the first Chinese-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Chu was elected to fill the seat vacated by Hilda Solis when she was appointed U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Chu represents California’s 32nd district, which includes much of the San Gabriel Valley, including Azusa, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Rosemead, West Covina and parts of East Los Angeles. Before redistricting in 2003, parts of the district were served by fellow Bruin U.S. Rep. Diane Watson ’56.

Elected with 62% of the vote, Chu’s victory is the latest step in a 24-year career in state and local government, which began with her election to the board of the Garvey School District in 1985. In 1988 she was elected to the Monterey Park City Council, and in 2001 to the California State Assembly. 

From 2006 until her congressional election, Chu served on the California State Board of Equalization, including a term as vice chair.

A 1974 UCLA graduate in mathematics, Chu spent 13 years as a professor at East Los Angeles Community College. She earned her doctorate in psychology from the California School of Psychology.   

Known as a coalition builder, Chu focuses chiefly on bringing diverse groups together on a variety of issues, including protecting families and jobs, providing access to affordable health care and protecting the environment.

In 1991, the UCLA Alumni Association recognized Chu’s achievements with the UCLA Public Service Award.

Chu joins 10 UCLA alumni serving in the 2009-11 U.S. House of Representatives: Rep. Howard Berman ’62, L.L.B. ’65 (D-Calif.), Rep. John Campbell ’76 (R-Calif.), Rep. Jerry Lewis ’56 (R-Calif.), Rep. Jim Matheson M.B.A. ’87 (D-Utah), Rep. Tom McClintock ’78 (R-Calif.), Rep. Laura Richardson ’84 (D-Calif.), Rep. Linda Sanchez J.D. ’95 (D-Calif.), Rep. Brad Sherman ’74, Rep. Diane Watson ’56 (D-Calif.), and Rep. Henry Waxman ’61, J.D. ’64 (D-Calif.). U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand J.D. ’91 (D-New York) represented New York’s 20th district before being appointed earlier this year to the seat vacated by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.