Political career
Eric Ching entered local politics by running as a challenger in the 2012 Walnut City Council election,where he secured the third seat by defeating incumbent John Saleeby by 32 votes after the counting of 622 additional vote-by-mail ballots reversed the initial results,leading to his installation on the council on April 25,2012. [15] During his first term,Ching fulfilled a campaign promise from 2012 by advocating for the removal of a red-light camera in Walnut,which the city council approved in May 2014 as part of efforts to address community concerns. [16] [17] In July 2014,Ching was appointed as mayor pro tem of Walnut,a position that placed him in line for the mayoral rotation. [18] [19] During a contentious August 27,2014,city council meeting,Ching objected alongside Mayor Nancy Tragarz to conducting a closed-session performance evaluation of City Attorney Michael B. Montgomery,amid discussions about terminating or renewing Montgomery's contract due to concerns over his performance,lack of malpractice insurance,and contract validity. [20] [21] At a subsequent tense three-hour meeting on September 9,2014,Ching voted against renewing Montgomery's contract in multiple 2-2 deadlocked votes and proposed a motion to advertise the position and collect resumes,which also failed due to the split after Councilwoman Mary Su's early departure for a family emergency. [22] [23] In October 2014,Ching voted against retaining Montgomery in a 3-2 council decision that approved the contract with added stipulations. [24] Ching sought re-election in the April 12,2016,Walnut City Council election amid heightened stakes due to issues like opposition to Mount San Antonio College's proposed parking garage and solar farm,public safety concerns from a 40 percent burglary spike,and internal council divisions over leadership and the city attorney position,which led to hiring a new attorney in March 2016. [25] [26] In the 2016 campaign,Ching received $30,764 in contributions as of February 27,2016,and pushed for Measure A to impose term limits on council members,allowing two four-year terms followed by a two-year break before a possible third term,while expressing concerns about Mount San Antonio College's projects increasing traffic and congestion in Walnut. [27] [28] The 2016 Walnut City Council race became combative and featured forums addressing traffic,crime,and the college dispute. [29] [30] Ching won re-election in the 2016 Walnut City Council vote with 1,896 votes,placing second behind incumbent Nancy Tragarz,and attributed his success to community recognition of his contributions while committing to work on a new city general plan and careful development planning for a lot near the Walnut Sheriff's Station. [31] [32] Following the 2016 election,Ching attended the swearing-in ceremony on April 27,2016,where 23-year-old Andrew Rodriguez was installed as the youngest council member in Walnut's history amid applause from a packed chamber,marking the addition of a new member after Tony Cartagena's departure after 16 years. [33] [34] In March 2017,as mayor of Walnut,Ching participated in a press event outside West Covina City Hall alongside West Covina Mayor Pro Tem Mike Spence,West Covina Police Chief Dave Faulkner,and state Senator Joel Anderson to oppose California's SB 54 sanctuary state bill,arguing that it would hinder deportation of violent felons in the country illegally by limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. [35] [36] During the same event,Ching specifically commented on the case of Haissam Massalkhy,a West Covina resident sentenced for vehicular manslaughter in the death of Walnut jogger Chi "Jason" Shao,stating that Massalkhy intentionally committed the crime to stay in the United States and that the bill would shield such individuals from deportation. [37] [38] In 2020,Ching served another term as mayor pro tem of Walnut,continuing his involvement in local governance. [39] [40] In January 2023,following a mass shooting at a Monterey Park dance studio that killed 10 people and injured 10 others during Lunar New Year celebrations,Ching visited a local senior center to offer help,expressing shock that such violence occurred in the quiet community where he felt safe even at midnight and noting he had never seen a gun there before. [41] [42]
Congressional campaigns
Eric Ching ran as the Republican candidate for California's 38th congressional district in the 2022 election. [43] [44] In the June 2022 primary,Ching advanced to the general election as the second-place finisher. [45] [46] [47] [48] Ching's 2022 campaign responded to questionnaires on issues including economy and public safety. [49] Ching ran again as the Republican candidate for the same district in the 2024 election. [50] [51] In the March 2024 primary,Ching defeated two other Republican candidates to advance to the general election. [52] [53] Ching's 2024 primary campaign included responses to questionnaires on policy positions. [54] In the 2024 general election,Ching received 110,818 votes or 40.2 percent of the total. [55] [56] [57] Ching's congressional campaigns were registered with the Federal Election Commission,reporting financial summaries for the 2022 and 2024 cycles. [58] During his congressional campaigns,Ching advocated for federal agencies to pursue criminals involved in drug trafficking,sex trafficking,money laundering,or gang activities more actively,supported immediate deportation of undocumented criminals and known terrorists after serving sentences,and called for enhanced border security to halt drugs,weapons,and human trafficking while requiring undocumented individuals to follow standard immigration processes. [59] To address cost of living issues,Ching proposed reducing inflation,business operating costs,and wasteful government spending as part of his platform in the congressional races. [60] On environmental matters,Ching aimed to secure water resources without negatively impacting residents,farmers,or businesses during his campaigns for Congress. [61] In September 2022,Ching won a legal judgment compelling the registrars of voters in Los Angeles and Orange counties to include his Mandarin name 秦振國on the Chinese-language ballot and related materials for the November 2022 general election in California's 38th congressional district after the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office initially notified his campaign that it would use a phonetic transliteration selected by the California Secretary of State,leading to a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office following an emergency Writ of Mandamus filed under Elections Code section 13211.7(b). [62]
Political positions
Eric Ching supports federal agencies actively pursuing criminals involved in gang activities,drug trafficking,money laundering,or sex trafficking. [63] [64] He advocates for the immediate deportation of undocumented criminals and known terrorists after serving their sentences. [65] [66] Ching calls for an immediate boost in border security to stop drugs,weapons,and human trafficking. [67] [68] He believes undocumented individuals should go through the standard immigration process like other immigrants. [69] To address cost of living concerns,Ching proposes reducing inflation,business operating costs,and wasteful government spending. [70] [71] For housing affordability,Ching suggests federal policies to support fair trade,business expansion,and skills training for high-paying jobs. [72] On homelessness,Ching notes that a significant portion involves mental illness and substance abuse,advocating for treatments,economic boosts,and addressing core social issues. [73] Ching opposes overhauling the U.S. Supreme Court,stating it would set a dangerous precedent,and supports handling violations under existing laws. [74] He does not support age limits for elected officials,believing the current system functions adequately. [75] On deep-fakes and AI-generated content,Ching upholds First Amendment protections unless used for crimes. [76] For local infrastructure,Ching would advocate for funding high-tech equipment to aid law enforcement in deterring crimes. [77] In environmental policy,Ching seeks to secure water resources without adversely affecting residents,farmers,or businesses. [78] [79] Ching supports efforts to lower taxes,including the SALT deduction,to stimulate economic growth. [80]
Personal life
Eric Ching's wife,Tiffany Chiali Yi Ching,an executive at Union Bank,died at age 49 in a car crash on July 20,2017,when her 2018 BMW veered off the westbound 60 Freeway in South El Monte and struck a disabled big rig,resulting in her death from traumatic injuries ruled accidental by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. [81] A memorial service for Tiffany Ching was held at Forest Lawn in Covina,attended by Walnut city council members and staff who expressed support for Eric Ching and his family,with Mayor Mary Su stating the city would provide whatever assistance he needed during this time. [82] Ching has two daughters,one in high school and one in college at the time of his wife's death,and the family has resided in Walnut since 2004. [83] [84] [85] Ching's favorite song on his campaign trail playlist is "Way Maker." [86]
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