California residents prepare to vote on Nov. 6. One of the two candidates for the 27th Congressional District is a former community college professor, incumbent Judy Chu.
Chu dominated opposing candidates. She defeated Bryan Witt by 66.98% in two primary elections. The congresswoman was elected in 2008.
Chu was the first Chinese-American woman elected into Congress.
Chu said in an email she is a committed advocate of women’s rights.
“I am fighting to protect our access to healthcare and birth control, working for equal pay, and helping to promote women owned-businesses so that women have more opportunities in the workforce,” Chu said in an email.
To progress women’s rights, Chu said in an email women need to take on leadership roles.
“Women are 50 percent of the country, but just 20 percent of Congress,” Chu said in an email. “So we can start by helping more women get into leadership roles.”
Chu said in an email she believes the trade agreements like the North American Free Trade agreement are “important but, imperfect,” and Trump is preventing the United States from improving agreements.
Chu initially supported President Barack Obama’s Trans Pacific Partnership deal, but later withdrew support.
“Trump’s strategy of bullying and bluster is only distancing us from our allies while making goods more expensive, without helping improve our agreements,” Chu said in an email.
She said in an email her objective was advancing worker’s rights, intellectual property and helping stop climate change.
Before she was elected, Chu was a psychology professor for 20 years in the Los Angeles Community District.
“I’ve seen the transformative impact of a good education,” Chu said in an email. “That is why I work to help more students not only be prepared for school, but be able to afford it as well.”
She introduced the POST GRAD Act and the Debt-Free College Act which Chu said aimed at making college more affordable.
Chu visited Citrus College in February for her Higher Education Roundtable.
“The Higher Education Act represents our nation’s commitment to expanding access and affordability to postsecondary education for all Americans,” Chu said in February.
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, another representative from the San Gabriel Valley, shares similar beliefs with Chu regarding affordable education and Veteran Administration.
Napolitano representative Jerry O’Donnell said she supports the idea of the first two years of college tuition being free.
“She supported it back in 2012 with the Obama Administration and still does,” O’Donnell said. “We need to strengthen community colleges.”
Together as contingencies of Glendora, Chu and Napolitano are fighting for opportunities for veterans.
Chu has collaborated with the Veteran Administration in the past. Former Citrus College Veterans Center Director Monica Christianson said Chu is supportive of veterans.
“She has done a lot to fill the gap between Veteran Administration and Medical Centers,” Christianson said. “I saw her at many different events, she offered free turkeys to veterans for Thanksgiving.”
The lack of a Veterans Health Clinic in the San Gabriel Valley is making it inconvenient for veterans to get “the care they deserve,” said
Suarano said in an email Chu plans to open the first San Gabriel Valley Veterans Health Clinic within the year.
O’Donnell said Napolitano is trying to fill the gaps for veterans.
“She is trying to streamline that process and make as many opportunities for veterans,” O’Donnell said.
Both Chu and Napolitano have voiced support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Dreamers.
“They’ve been trying to reverse that decision which has caused uncertainty,” O’Donnell said,
Chu said in an email she supports the dreamers and fights to make DACA permanent.
“They have done what we would ask of any immigrant by laying deep roots in our communities and they deserve the chance to continue to learn, work, serve, and contribute here,” Chu said in an email.
“That is why I am proud to support legislation that will make DACA permanent and finally end the fear and uncertainty among Dreamers.”
Chu said in an email she supports students.
“A good education is the best path to a better future,” Chu said in an email.
