Assemblymember Phillip Chen is running for reelection in a Republican-leaning district, facing off against a first-time challenger.
Chen, R-Yorba Linda, faces Dave Obrand, a Tustin Democrat, for the 59th Assembly district seat.
Elected to the Assembly in 2016, Chen previously served on the board of the Walnut Valley Unified School District. In the Assembly, Chen is the vice chair of the Committee on Banking and Finance and the Committee on Insurance.
Obrand has a background as a litigation attorney and serves as deputy county counsel.
On their beliefs, the two diverge along party lines.
For example, Chen is against the proposed increase of the state’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 per hour by 2026, which voters will also decide on this election. Chen said the free market should determine wage levels.
Obrand, on the other hand, said the increase would be “a start” but said that more measures should be taken to ensure California workers can afford to “live with dignity.”
The candidates also have differing views on how the state can prevent large budget deficits in the future. This year, California faced a $45 billion budget deficit, which put a strain on lawmakers’ ability to fund various programs and projects.
Obrand, in a questionnaire posed by the Orange County Register, said California should “fairly tax” the wealthiest individuals and companies in California.
“These wealthy few continue to accumulate more money as workers continue to struggle and far too many crucial social programs are underfunded or not able to operate at all,” he said.
California must live within its means, Chen said.
“Prioritizing accountability, cutting wasteful spending and focusing on core programs will help stabilize the budget and prevent future shortfalls while preserving essential services for all Californians,” Chen said.
One area of agreement between the two candidates is the need for the state to prioritize the mental health of the homeless population.
“Prioritizing these issues will help address the root causes of homelessness and allow for more effective long-term solutions,” said Chen.
California should provide “sufficient resources, including but not limited to housing, mental health, treatment, health care including reproductive health care, and education,” Obrand said.
AD-59 includes a portion of San Bernardino County and Orange County, including Brea, Placentia, Villa Park and Yorba Linda. According to the latest state data, Republicans account for 39.8% of all the registered voters in the district, while 32.7% are Democrats and 21.5% are no party preference voters.
Find out more about Chen and Obrand — and other candidates on your ballot — with the Register’s Voter Guide. Both candidates were sent questionnaires and in their own words, detailed their plans on various issues, from artificial intelligence to the state’s minimum wage and from the state budget to bond measures. You can also find what’s on their playlists as they’re on the campaign trail.
