Assemblymember Phillip Chen is a Republican representing California's 59th Assembly District, which spans portions of Orange and San Bernardino counties including Brea, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Chino Hills, and Anaheim Hills [1,2]. A small business owner, former reserve sheriff's deputy, and accomplished scholar with a Ph.D. from USC, Chen has served in the Assembly since 2016 and brings a strong commitment to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and protecting children and families [2,3]. With a 63% CFC Biblical Values Scorecard rating, Chen has demonstrated alignment with the California Family Council's worldview framework on several core priorities including limited government (Chapter 11) and family-centered policy (Chapter 3).
Phillip Chen (born April 22, 1978) is a Republican member of the California State Assembly representing the 59th District. He was first elected in November 2016 to represent the former 55th District and has won re-election in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 [1,2]. Following redistricting, his seat was redesignated as the 59th District, covering north Orange County and portions of San Bernardino County, including Brea, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills, Chino, and Chino Hills [1,3]. Within the Assembly Republican Caucus, Chen serves as Deputy Whip and holds committee assignments including Vice Chair of Banking and Finance [2,4].
Chen graduated from Servite High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. He obtained a Master of Public Administration from USC and completed his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from USC in 2014 [1,2]. He also served as Adjunct Faculty at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and taught at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Los Angeles [2,5].
Before elected office, Chen was appointed to the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning, overseeing juvenile justice programs and working on legislation to protect foster children and combat drug abuse [2,5]. He served as a Los Angeles County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy, earning Deputy of the Year recognition in 2009, and worked as a health policy advisor for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors [2,3]. Chen was elected to the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in November 2011, where he helped transform a budget deficit into a surplus [1,2].
As an Assemblymember, Chen has focused on public safety, mental health reform, protecting vulnerable children, and homelessness. He authored Assembly Bill 2156 to refine the definition of "gravely disabled" to address California's mental health crisis [1,2], introduced AB 3005 to safeguard children in the foster care system [1,5], and authored AB 517 to create a Property Crime Task Force in Orange County [1]. He also championed AB 1908 (the Homeless Encampment and Litter Program) and AB 2021 to preserve open space by expanding Chino Hills State Park [1,2].
His 68.8% Biblical Values Scorecard rating across 104 scored floor votes reflects a mixed record on CFC's core priorities. While he has aligned with CFC on select votes, his overall record diverges from CFC's framework on the sanctity of human life, parental authority in education, and religious liberty.
Outside of politics, Chen is a former competitive martial artist of national and international distinction. He founded the Cal State Fullerton Wushu Club and competed at the 1999 World Wushu Championships in Hong Kong, then won gold in nandao at the 2000 Pan American Wushu Championships [1]. He currently resides in Yorba Linda [5,6].
