Sara Jacobs Explained

Sara Jacobs
State:California
Term Start:January 3, 2021
Predecessor:Susan Davis
Constituency: (2021–2023)
(2023–present)
Birth Name:Sara Josephine Jacobs
Birth Date:1 February 1989
Birth Place:San Diego, California, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Partner:Ammar Campa-Najjar[1]
Relatives:Gary E. Jacobs (father)
Irwin M. Jacobs (grandfather)
Paul E. Jacobs (uncle)
Education:Columbia University (BA, MIA)
Signature:Signature of Sara Jacobs.png
Signature Alt:Signature of Sara Jacobs
Website:

Sara Josephine Jacobs[2] (born February 1, 1989) is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for since 2023, 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.[3] She is the caucus leadership representative, making her the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership.[4]

Early life and career

Jacobs was born in San Diego on February 1, 1989.[5] [6] Jacobs's grandfather is billionaire businessman Irwin M. Jacobs, a co-founder and former chairman of the semiconductor company Qualcomm. She graduated from Torrey Pines High School and Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2011 and a Master of International Affairs in international relations in 2012.[7] [8] [9]

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.[10] [11] After the election, Jacobs formed a nonprofit called San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Jacobs ran as a Democrat in the 2018 elections for the United States House of Representatives in . In the blanket primary election, she finished third, behind Diane Harkey and Mike Levin.[13]

2020

In 2020, Jacobs ran in .[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 has been described as center-left.[40] She voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[41]

Environment

Jacobs calls climate change "one of the biggest threats facing humanity". She says she wants a zero-carbon, clean energy economy by 2030.[42]

Foreign policy

Shortly before President Joe Biden left office, his administration determined that the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia was committing genocide and accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of using chemical weapons in the Sudanese Civil War.[43] As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa, Jacobs supported bill S.935, which seeks to block arms exports and sales from the United States to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) until it is certified that the UAE is not providing materiel support to the RSF in Sudan.[44]

Jacobs visited a refugee camp in Sudan in March 2024, reporting her observation of the extensive trauma endured by children in Sudan, under the conflict. As a result of this trip, she stated the US is morally obligated to take measures and stop the selling arms to the UAE which are being sold to arm the RSF militias.[45] [46]

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. She was among the first members of Congress to visit Sudanese refugees at the border.[47]

On January 15, 2025, Jacobs responded to the January ceasefire agreement by stating that "we’re in desperate need to repair the damage done to international norms and the United States’ credibility. We also need to ensure that all parties respect and uphold this agreement in good faith. I will keep working until all the hostages are released, a permanent ceasefire is implemented, humanitarian assistance is readily available, and Gazans have rebuilt and have self-determination" Jacobs on January ceasefire

On April 5, 2024, Jacobs joined 39 Democrats in a call for Biden to stop the transfer of US weapons to Israel during the Gaza war. Jacobs signed a letter with Nancy Pelosi and including Representatives Cori Bush, Barbara Lee, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[48] Two weeks later, she voted in favor of a $26 billion bill that provided both humanitarian aid to Gaza and military aid to Israel.[49] She responded to criticism about signing this bill by stating: "While I’m deeply concerned about further military assistance to Israel, I couldn’t in good conscience vote against this lifesaving humanitarian assistance.” [50]

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."[51]

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,[52] [53] however the measure was withdrawn by Democrat leadership.[54]

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.[55] [56]

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.[57] Jacobs opposed the Biden administration's decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine.[58]

Democratic House leadership

In 2022, Jacobs said she supported Nancy Pelosi remaining Democratic leader within the House.[59]

Tax policy

Jacobs wishes to repeal the tax cuts for the wealthy in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 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".[42]

Health care

Jacobs supports Medicare for All.[42]

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.[42]

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.[60]

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.[42] 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.

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.[42]

Personal life

Jacobs lives in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego.[61] She is Jewish.[62]

With an estimated net worth of $76 million, Jacobs is one of the wealthiest members of Congress.[63]

She has been in a relationship with Ammar Campa-Najjar (a former Democratic candidate for a neighboring congressional district) since 2019.[64] [65]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sara Jacobs Could Be the Next Nancy Pelosi . . August 22, 2025 . July 17, 2024 . Will . Huntsberry . She has also been in a relationship with Ammar Campa-Najjar, whose father is Palestinian, for several years..
  2. Web site: FamilySearch.org . FamilySearch.
  3. News: Dyer . Andrew . November 5, 2020 . At 31, San Diego's Sara Jacobs will be the youngest California representative in Congress . The San Diego Union-Tribune . November 22, 2020.
  4. News: Brennan . Deborah Sullivan . December 3, 2022 . San Diego's Rep. Sara Jacobs will be new House Democratic leadership's youngest member . May 21, 2023 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . en-US.
  5. Web site: The Voter's Self Defense System. Vote Smart.
  6. News: January 30, 2020. Q&A: Sara Jacobs, candidate for the 53rd Congressional District. June 3, 2020. The San Diego Union-Tribune. en-US.
  7. News: Donald H. . Harrison . December 8, 2019 . Sara Jacobs on her family, issues, and spending . San Diego Jewish World . March 7, 2020.
  8. Web site: Sara Jacobs. November 4, 2020. The Data Science Institute at Columbia University. en-US.
  9. Web site: AitN: December 4, 2017. November 4, 2020. Columbia College Today. December 4, 2017.
  10. News: On the campaign trail, House Candidate Sara Jacobs has inflated her resume. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Joshua. Stewart. March 27, 2018. March 21, 2020.
  11. News: Sara Jacobs, Georgette Gómez Officially Headed for Runoff in 53rd District. June 3, 2020 . . April 8, 2020 . en-US.
  12. News: Sklar . Debbie L. . Local Coalition Forms to End Child Poverty in San Diego . Times of San Diego . January 16, 2020 . March 7, 2020.
  13. News: Jennewein . Chris . Sara Jacobs Concedes to Mike Levin in 49th District Congressional Race . Times of San Diego . June 9, 2018 . March 7, 2020.
  14. News: Sara Jacobs running for 53rd Congressional District seat . The San Diego Union-Tribune . September 7, 2019 . March 7, 2020.
  15. News: Sara Jacobs, Georgette Gomez Headed for Runoff in 53rd District – NBC 7 San Diego . . March 4, 2020 . March 21, 2020.
  16. News: November 6, 2020. Democrat Sara Jacobs, 31, elected as youngest U.S. House representative in California. November 10, 2020. KTLA. en-US.
  17. News: Schleifer. Theodore. March 4, 2020. A tech billionaire spent millions to elect his granddaughter. It's working.. November 5, 2020. Vox. en.
  18. News: Shaw. Donald. February 28, 2020. A Billionaire Heiress and a Bernie-Backed Progressive Face Off in California Primary. November 5, 2020. The American Prospect. en-us.
  19. News: Dozier. David. April 19, 2018. The 49th as a birthday gift. November 8, 2020. The Coast News Group. en-US.
  20. News: Top Self-Funding Candidates. OpenSecrets.
  21. News: Analysis Period apps gather intimate data. A new bill aims to curb mass collection. . en-US . Washington Post . June 15, 2022 . 0190-8286.
  22. News: June 3, 2022 . Democrat introduces bill to protect women from 'period tracking apps' . June 15, 2022 . Washington Examiner . en.
  23. Web site: Sullivan . Mark . June 28, 2022 . Congresswoman Sara Jacobs explains why we need to protect reproductive health data . July 20, 2022 . Fast Company . en-US.
  24. News: Klar . Rebecca . June 21, 2022 . Democrats introduce bill to ban collection of reproductive health data . July 20, 2022 . The Hill . en-US.
  25. News: Service • • . City News . Sara Jacobs, AOC and 15 More Members of Congress Arrested at Abortion Rights Protest . July 20, 2022 . . July 19, 2022 . en-US.
  26. News: July 19, 2022 . San Diego Rep. Jacobs arrested at Capitol reproductive rights protest . July 20, 2022 . KGTV . en.
  27. News: Sklar . Debbie L. . November 20, 2022 . Rep. Jacobs Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Rename Post Office After Susan Davis . December 7, 2023 . Times of San Diego . en-US.
  28. News: December 27, 2022 . Biden OKs renaming of Rolando post office after former Rep. Susan Davis . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221228000452/https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/biden-oks-renaming-of-rolando-post-office-after-former-rep-susan-davis . December 28, 2022 . January 1, 2023 . KGTV . en.
  29. News: Sullivan Brennan . Deborah . July 7, 2023 . Rolando post office renamed for longtime San Diego lawmaker Susan Davis . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708063625/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-07-06/rolando-post-office-susan-davis . July 8, 2023 . December 1, 2023 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . en-US.
  30. News: Harrison . Donald H. . July 7, 2023 . Ceremony Renames Andrew Jackson Post Office for Susan A. Davis . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207054731/https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2023/07/07/ceremony-renames-andrew-jackson-post-office-for-susan-a-davis/ . December 7, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . San Diego Jewish World . en-US.
  31. Web site: Sara Jacobs . Clerk of the United States House of Representatives . April 6, 2023.
  32. Web site: Members . February 22, 2023 . LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus . en . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222222548/https://lgbtq.house.gov/Members . dead .
  33. Web site: Caucus Members. Black Maternal Health Caucus. June 15, 2023. June 24, 2025.
  34. Web site: Membership. Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment. September 18, 2024. September 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240918182046/https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership. dead.
  35. Web site: Leadership . New Democrat Coalition. January 6, 2021 . en.
  36. Web site: Congressional LGBTQ Caucus Members. December 19, 2021. February 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222222548/https://lgbtq.house.gov/Members. dead.
  37. Web site: Caucus Membrs. US House of Representatives . January 3, 2021.
  38. Web site: Stone . Ken . March 27, 2021 . Sara Jacobs Joins Congressional Progressive Caucus, Her 9th, But Trails Other Dems . May 25, 2022 . Times of San Diego . en-US.
  39. Web site: Committees and Caucuses Congresswoman Sara Jacobs . May 25, 2022 . sarajacobs.house.gov . en . September 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230925192806/https://sarajacobs.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses.htm . dead .
  40. Web site: Huntsberry . Will . July 17, 2024 . Sara Jacobs Could Be the Next Nancy Pelosi . July 26, 2025 . Voice of San Diego . en-US.
  41. Web site: Bycoffe . Aaron . Wiederkehr . Anna . April 22, 2021 . Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? . dead . https://archive.today/20210522014239/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ . May 22, 2021 . November 15, 2023 . FiveThirtyEight . en.
  42. News: 2020 election: Q&A with Sara Jacobs, candidate in the 53rd Congressional District . The San Diego Union-Tribune` . September 24, 2020.
  43. Web site: April 20, 2024 . Blinken . Antony . Genocide Determination in Sudan and Imposing Accountability Measures.
  44. Web site: Gramer . Robbie . https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/07/arms-sales-uae-00217874 Top lawmaker blocking US arms sales to UAE over role in Sudan war ]. . July 27, 2025 .
  45. News: July 8, 2024 . One of the fastest ways to end Sudan's civil war is to stop the UAE's involvement . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240820082007/https://thehill.com/opinion/4814013-sudan-children-war-crisis/ . August 20, 2024 . September 3, 2024.
  46. News: August 7, 2024 . Rep. Sara Jacobs Pens Op-Ed: U.S. Must Stop Arms Sales to the UAE Until They Stop Arming the RSF in Sudan War . September 3, 2024.
  47. Web site: Jacobs . Sara . A New U.S. Approach in Africa: Good Governance, Not Guns . . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402003631/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/12/12/us-counterterrorism-strategy-africa-security-assistance-governance-extremism/ . April 2, 2023 . December 12, 2022 . live.
  48. News: Singh . Kanishka. April 6, 2024 . Pelosi joins call for Biden to stop transfer of US weapons to Israel . April 6, 2024 . The Jerusalem Post. en-US.
  49. Web site: April 20, 2024 . Roll Call 152 - Bill Number: H. R. 8034 .
  50. Web site: April 26, 2024 . Opinion: Rep. Sara Jacobs Unfairly Criticized for Her Balanced Position on Gaza War .
  51. News: 2 more US Jewish Democrats join growing calls for a Gaza ceasefire . The Times of Israel . November 19, 2023.
  52. Web site: Marcus . Josh . November 7, 2023 . Republican who compared Palestinian civilians to Nazis faces censure . February 2, 2025 . The Independent . en.
  53. Otten . Tori . February 1, 2024 . GOP Congressman Says Dead Palestinian Babies Aren't All That Innocent . February 2, 2025 . The New Republic . 0028-6583.
  54. News: Wu . Nicholas . November 8, 2023 . Democrats pull back on their attempt to censure Brian Mast — for now . February 2, 2025 . Politico . en.
  55. Web site: H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 .
  56. News: Freking . Kevin . House votes down bill directing removal of troops from Syria . . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403180352/http://apnews.com/article/congress-syria-troop-withdrawal-matt-gaetz-609353065981287eac3060c7eb6d9f09 . April 3, 2023 . Washington . March 8, 2023 . live.
  57. News: Controversy surrounds US decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine . The Hill . July 7, 2023.
  58. News: Nichols . John . Cluster Bombs Are "War-Crime" Weapons . The Nation . July 10, 2023.
  59. News: Progressive Rep. Sara Jacobs thinks Pelosi should remain Democratic leader - "The Takeout" . July 20, 2022 . CBS News . July 2022 . en-US.
  60. msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/abortion-data-privacy-bill-reproductive-rcna90784
  61. News: Sara Jacobs Could Be the Next Nancy Pelosi. Will. Huntsberry. July 17, 2024. Voice of San Diego.
  62. News: Kampeas . Ron . Meet the 11 Jewish Democrats vying in 2020 to join Congress for the first time . November 22, 2020 . Jewish Telegraphic Agency . October 28, 2020.
  63. News: Vesoulis . Abby . This wealthy member of Congress just proposed increasing her own taxes . December 12, 2025 . Mother Jones . July 10, 2025.
  64. News: Stone . Ken . OMG or Meh? Democratic Gossip: Sara Jacobs Dating Ammar Campa-Najjar . January 20, 2021 . . October 14, 2020.
  65. News: Mission Accomplished. Politico. September 1, 2023. Christopher. Cadelago. Dustin. Gardiner . Lara. Korte. Sejal. Govindarao.

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