Democrat Jay Chen has joined the race for the 39th Congressional District, days after 13-term Republican Rep. Ed Royce said he would retire.
Jay Chen, a Mount San Antonio Community College trustee, announced his bid Friday on Facebook. He’s the only Democrat to enter the race so far with experience in political campaigning for himself.
Chen, 39, ran against Royce in 2012 and lost, getting 42% to Royce’s 58%.
In announcing his latest bid, Chen said his previous run “laid the groundwork for resistance that ultimately led to a welcome retirement.”
“This won’t be an easy race,” he continued, “however, with my experience and your support, I know that we will win.”
In addition to at least five Republicans running, Chen also faces at least six other Democrats, all of whom are first-time candidates, and two independents.
A graduate of San Gabriel Valley public schools and Harvard University, Jay previously worked at Bain & Company as a management consultant and currently owns his own real estate business. He is a Lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve, a Marshall Memorial Fellow, and he speaks Mandarin and Spanish.
Jay lives in Hacienda Heights with his wife Karen and two young children.
