Doug Chaffee (politician)

Douglas B. Chaffee (born November 9, 1943) is an American politician and retired attorney serving as a member & former Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from the 4th district. Elected in November 2018, he assumed office on January 7, 2019. He previously served as a Fullerton City Councilmember. In December of 2017 he was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem of Fullerton and the following year he was selected as Mayor of Fullerton.

Early life and education
Chaffee was raised in Anaheim, California before moving to Fullerton, California, where he graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Redlands in 1965 and a Juris Doctor from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1968.

Career
Prior to entering politics, Chaffee worked as an attorney. Chaffee was elected to the Fullerton, California City Council in 2012 and served until 2018. He was selected to serve as mayor in 2018. In November 2018, Chaffee was narrowly elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the first Democratic member elected in 12 years. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. From January 2022 to January 2023, Chaffee served as chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

In May 2020, Chaffee was a guest on KPCC, where he discussed Orange County beach closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, he serves on the board of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Personal life
Chaffee and his wife, Paulette, have been married since 1977. They have two sons.