State Assembly Candidate Phillip Chen Reports Raising More than $500,000

The following is a news release from the Phillip Chen for Assembly 2014 campaign. Diamond Bar-Walnut Patch has added some information.

Republican Assembly candidate Phillip Chen has reported raising $514,000 for his June primary election on the most recent campaign filing report. 

Additionally, Chen has raised $16,000 since the year end report making his number $530,000 raised for his campaign. The figure far exceeds any other non-incumbent Assembly candidate in recent memory and firmly established Chen as the front-runner in AD 55.

Also in the race is Diamond Bar Councilwoman Ling-Ling Chang, as well as Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye, who announced Monday that he also plans to run.

Chen, who has the endorsement of AD 55 incumbent Assemblyman Curt Hagman, is bringing hundreds of new donors to the Republican Party with his candidacy. Ninety-seven percent of Chen’s donations have come from the three counties of the 55th District, Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino.

“It is extraordinary to see a candidate, especially a non-incumbent, be so successful raising local money,” said Chen’s consultant Dave Gilliard. “Phillip has shattered expectations and set a new standard for legislative candidate fundraising.”

The Chen campaign has been up and running for several months, with over 80 volunteers already walking precincts and calling voters. His early fundraising success also allowed Chen to lock up key slate mailers. In addition, Chen has secured the support of many local Republican leaders in addition to Hagman, including Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Los Angeles Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Don Knabe, former Assemblyman Bob Pacheco and former District Attorney Steve Cooley.

“I am very grateful and honored by the support we have received from Republican leaders and from the community,” said Chen.

Phillip Chen is a small business owner who was the top vote-getter in the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board election in November of 2011. He has served as a key advisor on health care issues to Supervisor Mike Antonovich and is a reserve Deputy Sheriff for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Phillip was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve in the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning.

Phillip is a doctoral candidate at USC. He has a master’s in public administration from USC and holds a B.A. in communications from Cal State Fullerton. In addition, Phillip teaches public administration as an adjunct Professor at USC.