MONTEREY PARK — Rep. Judy Chu (D-El Monte) and Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) have congratulated school board member Ed Chau, Democratic candidate for the 49th Assembly District, on winning a hard-fought battle Sunday for the Democratic Party endorsement.
During a pre-endorsement caucus meeting at Monterey Park City Hall, Chau received 90 percent of the votes. He needed at least 70 percent for the endorsement. The vote count was 35 for Chau, four for Alhambra City Councilmember Luis Ayala, and none for El Monte Union High School District board member John Tran.
“I am honored to have received this massive show of early support from my fellow Democrats,” said Chau. “My parents came to this country with nothing and worked hard to give me opportunities. I will continue to give back to this district and fight to make sure that everybody can achieve the American Dream.”
This endorsement recommendation will be ratified on the consent calendar by the California Democratic Party at the Democratic Convention on the weekend of Feb. 11-12.
“I am supporting Ed because he is the best candidate for the 49th District,” said Chu. “This is a strong Democratic seat, and the person who occupies it must be a Democrat. But Ed is the most qualified of all the candidates, regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican. As a judge pro tem, Ed has integrity and is not beholden to big-monied interests.”
“Ed received this endorsement because he is a Democrat who believes in the ideals and values of this party,” said Eng, who is termed out. “As the current assemblyman of the 49th District, I am proud that so many Democrats joined me in supporting Ed. We will continue to work to get Ed elected in June.”
Chau has been a practicing attorney in the district for the last 17 years. He is a trustee with the Montebello School Board, where he has served for 12 years. He has been a judge pro tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court for the last 10 years and also is a former IBM engineer.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in computer science and sociology, both from USC, and a law degree from Southwestern University. He and his wife Candice have one daughter, Caitlyn.