Wikipedia

Sara Jacobs

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
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded bySusan Davis
Constituency53rd district (2021–2023)
51st district (2023–present)
Personal details
Born
Sara Josephine Jacobs[1]

(1989-02-01) February 1, 1989 (age 35)
Del Mar, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelativesGary E. Jacobs (father)
Irwin M. Jacobs (grandfather)
Paul E. Jacobs (uncle)
EducationColumbia University (BA, MIA)
WebsiteHouse website
Sara Jacobs's voice
Sara Jacobs speaks on the Respect for Marriage Act
Recorded December 8, 2022

Early life and career

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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

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2018

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See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 49

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

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 53

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

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 51

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

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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

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For the 118th Congress:[31]

Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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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

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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

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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

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

Health care

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Jacobs supports Medicare for All.[41]

COVID-19

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California[54][55]
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
2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California[56]
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

See also

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References

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  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. ^ a b c d e f "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
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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
313th 		Succeeded by
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