Chávez began his career in public service after graduating from Chico State when he joined the United States Marine Corps. Chávez served in the USMC for 28 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. Chávez served in all four active Marine divisions, including serving as Chief of Staff for the 4th Marine Division.
Post-military career
Chávez continued his career in public service after retiring from the Marine Corps. by founding the School of Business and Technology, a charter High School located in the Oceanside Unified School District. Chávez served as the school’s director from 2002-2008. Chávez was elected to the Oceanside City Council in November, 2002. He served on the Council for seven years, focusing on economic development, public safety, and good governance. Chávez was selected as the Deputy Mayor of Oceanside in 2004. Chávez was appointed as the Undersecretary of the California Department of Veteran Affairs by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. In January, 2011, Chávez was appointed Acting Secretary. During his time working at the California Department of Veteran Affairs, Chávez focused on streamlining procedures and increasing services for veterans. Chávez was elected to the California State Assembly to represent 76th District on November 6, 2012. He ran on a campaign of education, veteran’s issues and good governance. The 76th District includes Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside and Vista. Chávez served as Vice-Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and the Higher Education Committee. He was a member of the Rules, Education, Budget, Utilities and Commerce and Health committees. Chávez also served on a number of select committees, joint committees, and caucuses tackling issues ranging from justice reinvestment to environmental issues and K-12 education.
Chávez was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, having run in the 2018 midterm election in California's 49th congressional district to replace Darrell Issa. He failed to place in the top two during the primary election, finishing sixth in a field of sixteen candidates.
Primary for U.S. House California District 49{{Cite web|title=Statewide Direct Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 5, 2018 California Secretary of State|url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/prior-elections/statewide-election-results/statewide-direct-primary-june-5-2018/statement-vote/|access-date=2020-07-16|website=www.sos.ca.gov}}
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 49 on June 5, 2018.
Personal life
Chávez and his wife Mary live in Oceanside, California. They have three children and five grandchildren. Mary studied at the University of New Orleans and also holds an M.B.A. from California State University, San Marcos. His son Temujin Tom is a physician in South Carolina. Chávez's daughter Regina Ann Shepperson and youngest son Sage John are both college graduates. Chávez is Catholic.
