Iwen is originally from Taiwan. She earned her master's degree in sociology from CUNY Brooklyn College. She lives with her husband and daughter in Dyker Heights. 

Iwen currently works as a New York state senator. She previously worked as a community journalist and as a public servant.

Ballotpedia: Iwen Chu

Iwen Chu currently serves as the state senator for New York Senate District 17. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her 1st term. 

Candidate website

Supports greater affordability in housing and protecting tenants from hidden fees and rent hikes.

- Supports greater affordability in housing and protecting tenants from hidden fees and rent hikes.

Economy

As of June 7, 2025, Iwen Chu’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

NY Senate, Senate Bill S6504

Supports abortion access and has voted for all reproductive and maternal health legislation in the Senate.

As a state senator, sponsored Senate Bill S6504 to create an outreach and education program for Alzheimer's disease.

- Supports abortion access.
- As a state senator, sponsored Senate Bill S6504 to create an outreach and education program for Alzheimer's disease.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports increased funding for police and prosecutors to enhance public safety and combat hate crimes.

As a state senator, championed e-bike legislation mandating safety disclosures to prevent lithium-ion battery fires and regulating e-bike use on sidewalks.

Voted to add over 20 offenses to the hate crime list to hold perpetrators accountable and delivered millions to secure religious schools and places of worship.

As a state senator, voted to add over 20 offenses to the hate crime list  and helped deliver millions of dollars to provide security for religious schools and places of worship.

- Supports increased funding for police and prosecutors to enhance public safety and combat hate crimes.
- As a state senator, championed e-bike legislation mandating safety disclosures to prevent lithium-ion battery fires and regulating e-bike use on sidewalks.
- As a state senator, voted to add over 20 offenses to the hate crime list  and helped deliver millions of dollars to provide security for religious schools and places of worship.

Public Safety

Supports establishing an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum for school districts.

As a state senator, co-sponsored legislation to establish an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum for school districts.

Supports making education affordable and accessible at all stages of life.

- As a state senator, co-sponsored legislation to establish an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum for school districts.
- Supports making education affordable and accessible at all stages of life.

Education

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Iwen Chu

Steve was born in Hong Kong, and has lived in Brooklyn since age 11. He lives in Bensonhurst with his wife and their two children.

Steve Chan served as a U.S. Marine for six years and joined the New York Police Department in 1993, retiring as an NYPD Sergeant in 2020.

Steve Chan's campaign for State Senator representing District 17 is his first run for public office.

Opposes wasteful spending of tax dollars and supports lowering taxes for working families.

Opposes "wasteful spending" of tax dollars and supports lowering taxes for working families.

- Opposes "wasteful spending" of tax dollars and supports lowering taxes for working families.

As of June 7, 2025, Steve Chan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Opposes initiative to eliminate cash bail.

- Opposes initiative to eliminate cash bail.

Believes in providing "quality education without bias and bureaucracy."

Supports local schools and wants to ensure that "every child has the opportunity to succeed."

- Believes in providing "quality education without bias and bureaucracy."
- Supports local schools and wants to ensure that "every child has the opportunity to succeed."

Steve Chan

- Your state senator is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Senate, which consists of 63 members and serves as the upper house of the New York State Legislature, the state's lawmaking body. 
- State senators are responsible for representing your interests and assisting you with navigating state services while bringing resources back to your district.  
- State senators draft laws, approve budgets, oversee the state executive branch, and engage in debates and votes on proposed legislation.  
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your state senator can serve on committees, where many bills may be delayed before reaching a vote.  
- State senators are elected for a two-year term with no term limits.  
- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.

New York State Senator, District 17

Candidates (2)