He represents the 59th State Assembly District, which encompasses portions of Orange and San Bernardino counties and includes the cities of Anaheim Hills, Brea, Chino, Chino Hills, Fullerton, North Tustin, Orange, Placentia, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda.

Chen graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim and earned his BA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton as well as an MA in Public Administration and a Doctoral of Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California. He also served as an Adjunct Faculty Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Chen was elected overwhelmingly to the California State Assembly in November of 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022.

Chen won his first elected office in November of 2012 as a school board member to the Walnut Valley Unified School District. There, he established and maintained a basic organizational structure for the local school system. He helped turn the district's budget deficit into a budget surplus and established a "rainy-day" fund.

Chen worked as a health policy advisor for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. There, he helped save tax dollars and improve delivery of services by fostering public-private partnerships. He investigated, reported and made recommendations for actions pertaining to health, public health, and mental health in Los Angeles County.

Chen was appointed to serve as a Board Member for the CA Physical Therapy Board. There, he participated on the licensing committee, which licenses and regulates physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. He investigated complaints against physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and analyzed current and forthcoming physical therapy legislation to ensure that physical therapists were within scope of proper practice.

Chen was appointed by former Gov. Pete Wilson to the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning. There he helped oversee CA's juvenile justice programs. He was a member of the State Advisory Group, Juvenile Justice Native American Committee. There, he worked on legislation to protect foster children, prevent gang violence, and fight drug abuse.

Chen is a former LA County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy. In 2009, he was recognized as the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station Reserve Deputy of the Year.