Preceded by Curt Hagman Occupation Politician Nationality American Name Ling Chang | Political party Republican Role American Politician Spouse(s) Andrew Wong | |
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Party California Republican Party Residence Diamond Bar, California, United States | ||
Assemblywoman ling ling chang speaks at the greatschools4ca press conference
Ling Ling Chang (born July 24, 1976) is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly, representing the 55th district, encompassing parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. She is a Republican. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, she was a Diamond Bar city councilmember. In 2016, Ling Ling Chang was a candidate for California's 29th State Senate district. Chang narrowly lost the general election with 49.6% of the vote to Democrat Josh Newman, director of a non-profit organization. The election helped California Democrats regain two-thirds legislative supermajority in November.
Contents
- Assemblywoman ling ling chang speaks at the greatschools4ca press conference
- Early life and education
- Career
- California State Assembly
- Senate run
- Personal life
- References
Early life and education
Born in Taiwan, Chang and her family emigrated to the United States when she was three years old. She was raised in Diamond Bar and graduated from Diamond Bar High School. She studied biology at UC Riverside but did not graduate. She was criticized during her 2014 campaign for claims that she attended Harvard University when she was in fact taking online classes through the university's online extension program, which is open to the general public. Chang defended herself by stating, “You have to apply to get in. It is a degree program. Harvard Extension is part of the 13 schools there, just like Harvard Medical School is also really Harvard”. While the Harvard Extension School offers online degrees, it is much different than applying to and going through the rigorous application and matriculation process of Harvard University. Further controversy over her attending UC Riverside was raised in February 2016, by opponent Sukhee Kang, who made a public request for her to release her academic transcripts.
Career
Chang worked at Strategy Insights Group. In 2005, she was elected to the Walnut Valley Water District Board and was then elected twice to the Diamond Bar City Council.
California State Assembly
Chang was elected to the California Assembly in the 55th district in 2014 and had five bills signed into law in her first seven months in office. She also proposed unsuccessful bills seeking to cut business regulations.
Senate run
Chang was a candidate for California's 29th State Senate district in the 2016 election. She ran against former Irvine mayor Sukhee Kang and veteran Josh Newman to succeed Bob Huff in 2016 due to term limits.
As of October 2016, Chang had raised more than $4 million from business interests including the insurance, oil, and real estate industries. She made public comments distancing herself from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In November 2016, with 49.6% of the vote, Chang lost the general election to Democrat Josh Newman.
Personal life
Chang is married to Andrew Wong, an attorney.