About Abel Chavez
Bio
My name is Abel Chavez, and my life has been defined by the values of resilience, hard work, and a relentless drive to enact change. From growing up in extreme poverty to becoming an educator, business broker, school board president, and now a congressional candidate, my journey has been anything but conventional. Each experience has shaped my worldview and strengthened my resolve to fight for a better future for all Americans.
Humble Beginnings: A Childhood Defined by Hardship and Hope
I was born into a life where struggle was the norm. I grew up in a one-bedroom trailer with my two siblings in a community that was no stranger to hardship. My father, though loving, battled substance abuse issues that cast a long shadow over our family. There were many nights when food was scarce, and financial insecurity was a daily reality. But despite the adversity, my parents instilled in me the most valuable lessons I would ever learn—the importance of integrity, hard work, and education.
Our circumstances were difficult, but they never defined my ambition. I excelled academically, knowing that education was my best chance at breaking the cycle of poverty. Determined to make a difference in people’s lives, I enrolled at the University of California, Riverside, as a pre-med student, majoring in Biology.
Becoming an Educator: A Passion for Teaching and Reform
With a renewed sense of purpose, I pursued a Master’s in Education. Teaching became my next mission. As a high school science teacher specializing in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, I had the privilege of shaping young minds and encouraging students to reach their full potential.
But teaching also exposed me to the deep flaws in our education system. Underfunded schools, outdated curricula, and rigid bureaucratic policies were preventing students from truly thriving. I came to understand that the system is not designed to educate—it is designed to generate funding based on attendance. Schools receive money for every student in class, which means that the primary focus often becomes keeping students present rather than ensuring they actually learn. As a result, the system pushes an agenda of passing everyone, regardless of whether they have mastered the material. I saw bright, capable students being left behind—not because of their abilities, but because the structure they relied on wasn’t built to nurture true academic success. Instead of challenging students and preparing them for real-world professions, the system prioritized moving them along, even when it was clear they lacked a basic understanding of the tools needed to be successful professionals in this country. This flawed approach not only fails students but also weakens our economy, workforce, and society as a whole. It became painfully clear to me that if I wanted to create meaningful change in education, I would need to take my advocacy beyond the classroom.
This realization led me to take my advocacy further. I ran for a position on my local school board and won.
Since joining the school board and becoming School Board President, I’ve fought relentlessly to make our schools safer, stronger, and better than ever. I’ve helped implement programs that have raised test scores by double digits across every grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade. I’ve worked with district leaders to secure tens of millions of dollars in funding—money that’s now supporting students, improving classrooms, and expanding access to real educational opportunity. That fight isn’t over. I’m ready to take it to a larger scale, because our kids deserve more than promises—they deserve results.
A Change in Direction: Disenchantment with Medicine
My time at UCR was transformative. I immersed myself in the study of medicine, driven by a desire to help others. However, as I gained a deeper understanding of the industry, I became increasingly disillusioned. I saw how bureaucracy and profit-driven motives often took precedence over patient care. The disparities in healthcare, the prioritization of corporate interests, and the overburdened professionals working within a flawed system made me question whether this was the right path for me.
I made the difficult decision to pivot. If I wanted to make a real impact, I needed to explore other avenues where I could create meaningful change.
After leaving medicine behind, I worked in restaurants and retail, gaining firsthand experience in the challenges faced by everyday workers. I eventually transitioned into banking, where I was introduced to business finance, valuations, and the broader economy.
This was a game-changer. I quickly developed an expertise in business transactions, learning how companies were bought, sold, and valued. I realized that economic empowerment was one of the most effective ways to uplift communities. This knowledge planted the seed for my future career as a business broker and solidified my belief that financial literacy and economic policies played a crucial role in shaping people’s lives.
Discovering Business and Finance
As a school board member and later as school board president, I fought for changes that would better serve students, teachers, and parents. I worked to increase funding, push for curriculum reforms, and implement policies that put students first.
However, my time on the board revealed an even harsher truth: meaningful change was often stifled by bureaucracy and political gridlock. No matter how much we pushed for reforms, there were always obstacles. I realized that if I truly wanted to fix the system, I needed to operate at a higher level—where laws were made.
Public Service: Fighting for Education Reform
Running for Congress: A New Chapter
Today, I stand at the intersection of my diverse experiences—education, business, governance, and public service—ready to take on the challenge of running for Congress. My mission is clear: to fight for economic opportunity, education reform, and medical policies that truly serve the people.
I know what it means to struggle. I know what it means to work hard. And I know what it takes to create real change. With the support of my community, I am ready to bring a new vision to Washington—one that prioritizes the needs of everyday Americans over special interests.
This is not just a campaign; it’s a movement for a better future.
After working my entire life here, I finally bought a home here—and I felt every hurdle in the process. The fees, the inflated rates, the sense that the system isn’t designed for families—it’s designed for investors.
Housing is supposed to be the foundation of the American Dream—but right now, it’s a barrier. Families are doing everything right: working long hours, saving what they can, and still finding themselves locked out of homeownership. I’m still in the ring—fighting for that house payment every single month. And I carry that fight with me, not as a burden, but as fuel. Because working people deserve a shot at home, and no one should have to fight that battle alone.
When my parents bought their first home, it cost $30,000. It wasn’t easy, but it was within reach. Today, working families face bidding wars not with neighbors—but with corporations. Wall Street firms are buying up single-family homes in bulk, driving up prices and turning neighborhoods into rental markets. That’s not just unfair—it’s dangerous! I’ll fight to end corporate purchases of single-family homes so that real people can build real roots in the communities they call home.
We also need to reform lending from the ground up. I’ll champion federal incentives for banks that prioritize first-time buyers and owner-occupied loans—not out-of-state investors. Lower interest rates, Cap lending fees, and fair terms that reward working families, not penalize them. Because a home shouldn’t feel like a distant dream or a losing race. I want my neighbor to be a person, not a corporation!