Some voters have called into question how moderate he actually is.
Democrat Jay Chen, who is running for the 45th congressional district, has presented himself as a moderate to voters, yet those he calls “mentors” are notable progressive Democrats.
Two notable left-wing members of Congress from California, Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Judy Chu are backing Chen, while out of state Representatives like Rep. Grace Meng of New York and Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts have also shown support for Chen.
Chu’s progressive congressional background includes a vote against affirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States. Her 27th District is northeast of Los Angeles. Lieu’s 33rd District includes Malibu and Santa Monica, a well known place of residence for progressive Hollywood celebrities.
Meng has battled with the National Taxpayers Union, receiving just a 12 percent rating. Moulton backed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which is considered to have impacted the skyrocketing inflation rates. Moulton boasted he was “proud to have supported it”.
While Chen markets himself as moderate, Chen’s campaign website boasts he would support socialized medicine and other progressive issues. Chen’s mentorship from sitting congressional progressives has yet to show if it would impact his worldview.
California’s 45th district neighbors Costa Mesa’s 46th and 47th district, and runs in a “C” shape from Brea in the north, westward to Cerritos and Cyprus, then down to Fullerton.
