About Maria Chen | Candidate for Riverside County Supervisor

My Story

I was born and raised right here in District 3. I went to Riverside Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School, and graduated from Riverside High before heading to UC Riverside for my degree in Public Administration.

After college, I came back home. This is where my roots are, where my family is, and where I wanted to build my life.

Small Business Owner

In 2012, I opened Chen’s Bakery on Main Street. What started as a small dream has grown into a beloved community gathering place. Running a small business has taught me so much about the challenges facing working families—from healthcare costs to finding affordable childcare to navigating complex regulations.

I’ve employed dozens of local residents over the years, and I’m proud that many of my former employees have gone on to open their own businesses or pursue their own dreams.

Public Service

My work in public service began when I joined the Riverside County Housing Authority board in 2015. I saw firsthand how thoughtful policy can change lives—and how bureaucratic obstacles can hold people back.

In 2018, I was elected to the City Council. During my four years in office, I:

Passed the first inclusionary housing ordinance in our city’s history
Established a small business grant program that helped 50+ local businesses survive the pandemic
Led the effort to expand our parks system with two new community parks
Created a community policing initiative that improved trust between residents and law enforcement

Why I’m Running

I’m running for County Supervisor because I believe our county government can do better. For too long, decisions have been made in Sacramento and Washington that affect our daily lives, while county government—the level closest to us—has been an afterthought.

I want to change that. I want to bring the same responsive, community-focused approach to county government that I brought to City Council.

My Family

I live in downtown Riverside with my husband David, who teaches math at Riverside High, and our two kids, Emma (12) and Michael (9). We’re active members of First Community Church, and you can often find us at the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings.

Let’s Talk

I believe in face-to-face conversations. If you see me at the grocery store or walking my dog in the park, please say hello. I want to hear what’s on your mind.

And if you’d like to have a more in-depth conversation, reach out to schedule a coffee meeting. I try to meet with constituents every week.