Sara Jacobs
American politician (born 1989) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Sara Jacobs | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Davis |
| Constituency | 53rd district (2021–2023) 51st district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sara Josephine Jacobs[1] February 1, 1989 Del Mar, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relatives | Gary E. Jacobs (father) Irwin M. Jacobs (grandfather) Paul E. Jacobs (uncle) |
| Education | Columbia University (BA, MIA) |
| Website | House website |
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
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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
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Perspective
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] However, she voted to provide further weapons to Israel two weeks later.[44]
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.[45] 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.[46][47]
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.[48] Jacobs opposed the Biden administration's decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine.[49]
On November 18, 2023, Jacobs called for a ceasefire in the Gaza 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."[50]
In November 2023, Jacobs introduced a measure to censure congressman Brian Mast after Mast stated that Palestinian children killed by Israel were not innocent civilians,[51][52] however the measure was withdrawn by Democrat leadership.[53]
Co-Sponsored/Sponsored Bills
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119th Congress (2025-2026)
- On April 2nd, 2025, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "To prohibit the use of, and rescind, Federal funds for United States DOGE Service, and for other purposes.", aiming to defund the DOGE department.[54]
- On January 24th, 2025, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "The Disaster Recovery Efficiency Act".[55]
- On February 11th, 2025, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "Protect U.S. National Security Act".[56]
- On January 16th, 2025, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act".[57]
118th Congress (2023-2024)
- On September 25th, 2024, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "Restore Military Families’ Voices Act".[58]
This bill has failed the House Committee, not being introduced in the House Of Representatives floor.[58]
- On September 18th, 2024, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "Global Fragility Reauthorization Act".[59]
This bill has failed the House Committee, not being introduced in the House Of Representatives floor.[59]
117th Congress (2021-2022)
- On September 15th, 2022, Sara Jacobs introduced the following bill to the House "End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022".[60]
This bill has failed the House Committee, not being introduced in the House Of Representatives floor.[60]
Personal life
Jacobs lives in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego.[61] She is Jewish.[62]
She has been in a relationship with Ammar Campa-Najjar (a former Democratic candidate for a neighboring congressional district) since 2019.[63][64]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sara Jacobs | 192,897 | 59.5 | |
| Democratic | Georgette Gómez | 131,349 | 40.5 | |
| Total votes | 324,246 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sara Jacobs (Incumbent) | 144,186 | 61.9 | |
| Republican | Stan Caplan | 88,886 | 38.1 | |
| Total votes | 233,072 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Sara Jacobs (incumbent) | 90,901 | 57.4 | |
| Republican | Bill Wells | 61,923 | 39.1 | |
| No party preference | Stan Caplan | 3,164 | 2.0 | |
| No party preference | Hilaire Fuji Shioura | 2,496 | 1.6 | |
| Total votes | 158,484 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Sara Jacobs (incumbent) | 198,835 | 60.7 | |
| Republican | Bill Wells | 128,749 | 39.3 | |
| Total votes | 327,584 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
See also
References
External links
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