Chao Wu (politician)

Wu attended the University of Science and Technology of China, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2001; the National University of Singapore, where he earned a master degree in electrical and computer engineering in 2003;^[2] and the University of Maryland, College Park, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in electrical and computer engineering in 2009.^[3][4] While at the University of Maryland, Wu served as president of the local Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) chapter.^[5] As CSSA president, Wu campaigned against Tibetan independence and perceived biased content in The Diamondback towards the 2008 Summer Olympics being held in Beijing.^[5]

After graduating, Wu worked in the private and public sectors, specializing in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and enterprise risk management.^[4] Wu represented the River Hill community of Columbia, Maryland on the Columbia Association's board of directors until 2018,^[6] and served as a board member of the River Hill Village Association from 2012 to 2018.^[7] During this time, Wu was instrumental in initiating Columbia's sister city agreement with Liyang.^[5][8]

In November 2017 Wu filed to run for the Howard County Board of Education.^[7] He won the nonpartisan primary election on June 27, 2018,^[9] and later won election to the board on November 6.^[3] In December 2020, Wu was elected as the Board of Education's chairperson, becoming the first Asian American to lead the board.^[10] In October 2021, Wu was named to serve as a board member to the Maryland Association of Boards of Education.^[11]

In February 2022 Wu filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates.^[12] He won the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022, and later won the general election on November 8, narrowly defeating incumbent state delegate Trent Kittleman with Natalie Ziegler.^[13]

Wu was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 11, 2023.^[14] He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.^[15] In January 2026, Wu was named as a deputy majority whip for the Maryland House of Delegates.^[16]

In June 2021 Wu voted against ending the school system's school resource officer program. The school board voted 5–3 to continue the program.^[17]

Wu lives in Clarksville, Maryland.^[12] He is a father of two children.^[18]