Sara Jacobs

Last updated

Sara Jacobs
Representative Sara Jacobs full portrait.jpg
Official portrait, 2021
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California
Assumed office
January 3, 2021

Sara Josephine Jacobs (born February 1, 1989) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 51st congressional district , previously representing the 53rd congressional district from 2021 to 2023. Her district includes central and eastern portions of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lemon Grove. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the youngest member of California's congressional delegation. [2] She is the Caucus Leadership Representative, making her the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership. [3]

Contents

Early life and career

Jacobs was born in Del Mar, California, on February 1, 1989, and raised in San Diego. [4] [5] She is the granddaughter of businessman and Qualcomm founder Irwin M. Jacobs, and the daughter of Jerri-Ann and philanthropist Gary E. Jacobs. Her uncle, Paul E. Jacobs, was the former CEO and chairman of Qualcomm. Jacobs graduated from Torrey Pines High School and Columbia University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science in 2011 and a master's degree in international relations in 2012. [6] [7] [8]

After earning her master's degree, Jacobs worked for the United Nations and UNICEF. In February 2014, she began working as a contractor to the United States Department of State. She then served as a policy advisor on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. [9] [10] After the election, Jacobs formed a nonprofit called San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty. [11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Jacobs ran as a Democrat in the 2018 elections for the United States House of Representatives in California's 49th congressional district . In the blanket primary election, she finished third, behind Diane Harkey and Mike Levin. [12] A Super PAC affiliated with EMILY's List launched a media blitz right before the primary after Jacobs's grandfather donated $250,000 to the organization. This led primary opponents to accuse her of "buying" endorsements. [13]

2020

In 2020, Jacobs ran in California's 53rd congressional district . [14] She finished first in the top-two primary, and defeated San Diego City Council President Georgette Gómez in the November general election. [15] She became the youngest United States Representative from California when she assumed office on January 3, 2021. [16]

During her political campaigns, Jacobs has received significant funding from her grandfather. [17] [18] [19] According to OpenSecrets, Jacobs was the 5th most self-funded candidate in the 2020 United States elections. She financed $6,921,255 to her campaign, constituting 90.32% of total campaign contributions. [20]

2022

Following redistricting from the 2020 United States census, Jacobs ran in California's 51st congressional district. She defeated Republican Stan Caplan in the general election with around 62% of the vote.

Tenure

In 2022, Jacobs authored legislation to regulate the collection of personal reproductive health data, as in period-tracking apps. [21] [22] Mazie Hirono and Ron Wyden introduced a version in the U.S. Senate. [23] [24]

Along with 16 other members of Congress, Jacobs was arrested at a demonstration in support of abortion rights outside the United States Supreme Court Building on July 19, 2022. [25] [26]

In 2022, Jacobs introduced a bill to rename the Andrew Jackson Post Office in Rolando after her predecessor Susan A. Davis. [27] Signed into law on December 27, 2022, [28] a ceremony to install a new plaque with Davis' name was held on July 7, 2023. [29] The Andrew Jackson signage remains on the front of the building. [30]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress: [31]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Jacobs voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. [39]

Reproductive data privacy

On the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, Jacobs wrote an op-ed for MSNBC.com calling for passage of the My Body, My Data Act, which would create a national standard to protect reproductive and sexual health data. [40]

Climate change

Jacobs calls climate change "one of the biggest threats facing humanity". She wants a zero-carbon, clean energy economy by 2030. [41]

Democratic House leadership

In 2022, Jacobs said she supported Nancy Pelosi remaining Democratic leader within the House. [42]

Health care

Jacobs supports Medicare for All. [41]

COVID-19

Jacobs called the Trump administration's response to COVID-19 "horribly mishandled". She wants to hold businesses and individuals accountable for price gouging related to personal protective equipment and health care supplies during the pandemic. [41]

Israel

On April 5, 2024 Jacobs joined 39 Democrats in a call for Biden to stop the transfer of US weapons to Israel during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Jacobs signed a letter with Nancy Pelosi and including Representatives Cori Bush, Barbara Lee, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. [43]

Immigration

Jacobs supports including a provision to grant citizenship for undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., and passing the DREAM Act. She supports increasing funding for the immigration-related court system, and reducing backlogs. She supports modernizing border security and improving transit times. She opposes the Trump administration family separation policy, and wants to end funding on privatized detention facilities. Jacobs wants the U.S. to accept at least 95,000 refugees annually and protect individuals with Temporary Protected Status. [41]

Families and children

Jacobs supports the Child Care is Essential Act, which aims to pay child care workers a good wage and helps pay for child care for working families. [41] Jacobs co-leads the Child Care for Every Community Act, which aims to create a federally-funded and locally-run network of child care centers.

Tax reform

Jacobs wishes to repeal the tax cuts for the wealthy in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. She wants "to increase the highest marginal tax rate and ensure capital gains rates match that, close loopholes in our tax code, and make sure everyone, including corporations, pays their fair share". [41]

Foreign affairs

In a December 2022 Foreign Policy article, Jacobs criticized the United States' counterterrorism strategy in Africa, writing that good governance is needed in Africa instead of guns. [44] In March 2023, Jacobs was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of a resolution which directed President Joe Biden to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days. [45] [46]

On July 6, 2023, US President Joe Biden authorized the provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine in support of a Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russian forces in Russian-occupied southeastern Ukraine. [47] Jacobs opposed the Biden administration's decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine. [48]

On November 18, 2023, Jacobs called for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war and an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying "It is time for a bilateral ceasefire — to immediately release the hostages; to establish humanitarian access and allow fuel, food, water and medical care into Gaza; and to end the bombardment of millions of Palestinian civilians." [49]

Personal life

Jacobs lives in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. [50] She is Jewish. [51]

She has been in a relationship with Ammar Campa-Najjar (a former Democratic candidate for a neighboring congressional district) since 2019. [52] [53]

Electoral history

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California [54] [55]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sara Jacobs 192,897 59.5
Democratic Georgette Gómez 131,34940.5
Total votes324,246 100.0
Democratic hold
2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California [56]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sara Jacobs (Incumbent) 144,186 61.9
Republican Stan Caplan88,88638.1
Total votes233,072 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Pelosi</span> American politician (born 1940)

Nancy Patricia Pelosi is an American politician who served as the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first woman elected as U.S. House Speaker and the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress, leading the House Democrats from 2003 to 2023. A member of the House since 1987, Pelosi currently represents California's 11th congressional district, which includes most of San Francisco. She is the dean of California's congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty McCollum</span> American politician (born 1954)

Betty Louise McCollum is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 4th congressional district, serving since 2001. She is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). McCollum's district centers on St. Paul, Minnesota's capital city. She is the second woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. McCollum became the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Lee</span> American politician (born 1946)

Barbara Jean Lee is an American politician who has been serving as a U.S. representative from California since 1998. A member of the Democratic Party, Lee represents California's 12th congressional district, which is based in Oakland and covers most of the northern part of Alameda County. According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, it is one of the nation's most Democratic districts, with a rating of D+40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Eshoo</span> American politician (born 1942)

Anna A. Eshoo is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from California's 16th congressional district. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 18th district from 2013 to 2023, is based in Silicon Valley, including the cities of Redwood City, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto, as well as part of San Jose. Eshoo is the only Assyrian-American in Congress and the only Armenian American woman in Congress. On November 21, 2023, she announced she would not seek re-election in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoe Lofgren</span> American politician and lawyer (born 1947)

Susan Ellen "Zoe" Lofgren is an American politician and lawyer serving as a U.S. representative from California. A member of the Democratic Party, Lofgren is in her 15th term in Congress, having been first elected in 1994. Lofgren has long served on the House Judiciary Committee, and chaired the House Administration Committee in the 116th and 117th Congresses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Davis (politician)</span> American politician (born 1944)

Susan Carol Davis is a former American politician who served as the U.S. representative for California's 49th congressional district for one term and California's 53rd congressional district for nine terms from 2001 to 2021. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Costa</span> American politician (born 1952)

James Manuel Costa is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 21st congressional district since 2023, previously representing the 20th congressional district from 2005 to 2013 and the 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district includes most of Fresno.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judy Chu</span> American politician (born 1953)

Judy May Chu is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 28th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held a seat in Congress since 2009, representing California's 32nd congressional district until redistricting. Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Bass</span> Mayor of Los Angeles since 2022

Karen Ruth Bass is an American politician, social worker and former physician assistant who has served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Bass previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022 and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as speaker during her final Assembly term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Schrader</span> American politician and veterinarian (born 1951)

Walter Kurt Schrader is an American politician and veterinarian who served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district from 2009 to 2023. His district covered most of Oregon's central coast, plus Salem, and many of Portland's southern suburbs, and a sliver of Portland itself. A member of the Democratic Party, Schrader served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madeleine Dean</span> American politician (born 1959)

Madeleine Dean Cunnane is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district. The district includes almost all of Montgomery County, a suburban county north of Philadelphia, as well as a northeastern portion of Berks County. Before being elected to Congress, Dean was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, representing the 153rd district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgette Gómez</span> American politician

Georgette Gómez is an American politician and community activist who served as president of the San Diego City Council from 2018 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as a member of the city council from 2016 to 2020, representing District 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikie Sherrill</span> American politician (born 1972)

Rebecca Michelle "Mikie" Sherrill is an American politician, former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, attorney, and former federal prosecutor serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district since 2019. The district includes a swath of suburban and exurban areas west of New York City. A member of the Democratic Party, Sherrill was elected on November 6, 2018. She was reelected in 2020 by a slightly narrower margin and reelected in 2022 by a wide margin. She is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Levin</span> American politician (born 1978)

Michael Ted Levin is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for California's 49th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents most of San Diego's North County, as well as part of southern Orange County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Wild</span> American politician and attorney (born 1957)

Susan Wild is an American lawyer and politician from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A Democrat, she is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district. The district is in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, and includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Bangor. Wild spent the last two months of 2018 as the member for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district after Charlie Dent resigned in 2018. She also co-chairs the New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force and is vice chair of both the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. Wild is the first woman to represent the Lehigh Valley in Congress. Wild lost her re-election bid in 2024 to Republican Ryan Mackenzie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariannette Miller-Meeks</span> American physician & politician (born 1955)

Mariannette Jane Miller-Meeks is an American physician and politician who has served as a U.S. representative from Iowa since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she represents the state's 1st congressional district. Her district, numbered as the 2nd district in her first term, includes most of Iowa's southeastern quadrant, including Davenport, Bettendorf, Burlington, and Iowa City. Miller-Meeks previously served as the Iowa state senator from the 41st district from 2019 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 53 U.S. representatives from the state of California, one from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillary Scholten</span> American politician (born 1982)

Hillary Jeanne Scholten is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 3rd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents Grand Rapids and much of the urban core of West Michigan, in a district once represented by former President Gerald Ford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California were held on November 8, 2022, to elect representatives for the 52 seats in California. This marked the first time in the state's history where it lost a seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California were held on November 5, 2024, to elect the 52 U.S. representatives from the State of California, one from all 52 of the state's congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

References

  1. "FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch .
  2. Dyer, Andrew (November 5, 2020). "At 31, San Diego's Sara Jacobs will be the youngest California representative in Congress". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  3. Brennan, Deborah Sullivan (December 3, 2022). "San Diego's Rep. Sara Jacobs will be new House Democratic leadership's youngest member". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  4. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
  5. "Q&A: Sara Jacobs, candidate for the 53rd Congressional District". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 30, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. Harrison, Donald H. (December 8, 2019). "Sara Jacobs on her family, issues, and spending – San Diego Jewish World". Sdjewishworld.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  7. "Sara Jacobs". The Data Science Institute at Columbia University. Retrieved November 4, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "AitN: December 4, 2017". Columbia College Today. December 4, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  9. Stewart, Joshua (March 27, 2018). "On the campaign trail, House Candidate Sara Jacobs has inflated her resume". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  10. "Sara Jacobs, Georgette Gómez Officially Headed for Runoff in 53rd District". NBC 7 San Diego. April 8, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. Sklar, Debbie L. (January 16, 2020). "Local Coalition Forms to End Child Poverty in San Diego". Times of San Diego. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  12. Jennewein, Chris (June 9, 2018). "Sara Jacobs Concedes to Mike Levin in 49th District Congressional Race". Times of San Diego. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  13. Stewart, Joshua (April 9, 2018). "Super-PAC launched media blitz for congressional candidate Sara Jacobs after her family gave major donation". San Diego Union-Tribune .
  14. "Sara Jacobs running for 53rd Congressional District seat". The San Diego Union-Tribune. September 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  15. "Sara Jacobs, Georgette Gomez Headed for Runoff in 53rd District – NBC 7 San Diego". Nbcsandiego.com. March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  16. "Democrat Sara Jacobs, 31, elected as youngest U.S. House representative in California". KTLA. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  17. Schleifer, Theodore (March 4, 2020). "A tech billionaire spent millions to elect his granddaughter. It's working". Vox. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  18. Shaw, Donald (February 28, 2020). "A Billionaire Heiress and a Bernie-Backed Progressive Face Off in California Primary". The American Prospect. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  19. Dozier, David (April 19, 2018). "The 49th as a birthday gift". The Coast News Group. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  20. "Top Self-Funding Candidates". OpenSecrets.
  21. "Analysis | Period apps gather intimate data. A new bill aims to curb mass collection". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  22. "Democrat introduces bill to protect women from 'period tracking apps'". Washington Examiner. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  23. Sullivan, Mark (June 28, 2022). "Congresswoman Sara Jacobs explains why we need to protect reproductive health data". Fast Company. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  24. Klar, Rebecca (June 21, 2022). "Democrats introduce bill to ban collection of reproductive health data". The Hill. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  25. Service • •, City News (July 19, 2022). "Sara Jacobs, AOC and 15 More Members of Congress Arrested at Abortion Rights Protest". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  26. "San Diego Rep. Jacobs arrested at Capitol reproductive rights protest". KGTV. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  27. Sklar, Debbie L. (November 20, 2022). "Rep. Jacobs Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Rename Post Office After Susan Davis". Times of San Diego. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  28. "Biden OKs renaming of Rolando post office after former Rep. Susan Davis". ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV. Scripps Media Inc. December 27, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  29. Sullivan Brennan, Deborah (July 7, 2023). "Rolando post office renamed for longtime San Diego lawmaker Susan Davis". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  30. Harrison, Donald H. (July 7, 2023). "Ceremony Renames Andrew Jackson Post Office for Susan A. Davis". San Diego Jewish World. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  31. "Sara Jacobs". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  32. "Members". LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  33. "Membership". Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  34. "Leadership | New Democrat Coalition". newdemocratcoalition.house.gov. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  35. "Congressional LGBTQ Caucus Members". Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  36. "Caucus Membrs". US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  37. Stone, Ken (March 27, 2021). "Sara Jacobs Joins Congressional Progressive Caucus, Her 9th, But Trails Other Dems". Times of San Diego. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  38. "Committees and Caucuses | Congresswoman Sara Jacobs". sarajacobs.house.gov. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  39. Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  40. msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/abortion-data-privacy-bill-reproductive-rcna90784
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2020 election: Q&A with Sara Jacobs, candidate in the 53rd Congressional District". San Diego Union-Tribune. September 24, 2020.
  42. "Progressive Rep. Sara Jacobs thinks Pelosi should remain Democratic leader - "The Takeout"". www.cbsnews.com. July 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  43. Singh, Kanishka (April 6, 2024). "Pelosi joins call for Biden to stop transfer of US weapons to Israel". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  44. Jacobs, Sara (December 12, 2022). "A New U.S. Approach in Africa: Good Governance, Not Guns". Foreign Policy . Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  45. "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  46. Freking, Kevin (March 8, 2023). "House votes down bill directing removal of troops from Syria". Associated Press . Washington. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  47. "Controversy surrounds US decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine". The Hill. July 7, 2023.
  48. Nichols, John (July 10, 2023). "Cluster Bombs Are "War-Crime" Weapons". The Nation.
  49. "2 more US Jewish Democrats join growing calls for a Gaza ceasefire". The Times of Israel. November 19, 2023.
  50. Huntsberry, Will (July 17, 2024). "Sara Jacobs Could Be the Next Nancy Pelosi". Voice of San Diego.
  51. Kampeas, Ron (October 28, 2020). "Meet the 11 Jewish Democrats vying in 2020 to join Congress for the first time". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  52. Stone, Ken (October 14, 2020). "OMG or Meh? Democratic Gossip: Sara Jacobs Dating Ammar Campa-Najjar". Times of San Diego . Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  53. Cadelago, Christopher; Gardiner, Dustin; Korte, Lara; Govindarao, Sejal (September 1, 2023). "Mission Accomplished". Politico.
  54. "STATEMENT OF VOTE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 3, 2020" (PDF). California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  55. 2020 election results
  56. 2022 election results

-->

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 53rd congressional district

2021–2023
Constituency abolished
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 51st congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
311th
Succeeded by