Jim Costa

Jim Costa is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California's 21st congressional district. First elected to Congress in 2004 and sworn in January 2005, Costa is a third-generation family farmer who previously served in the California State Assembly from 1978 to 1994 and the California State Senate from 1994 to 2002. At the age of 26, he was the youngest member of the California State Legislature at the time of his election. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from California State University, Fresno. Throughout his congressional career, Costa has established himself as a moderate Democrat and a leading member of the Blue Dog Coalition. His legislative work is deeply tied to the economic interests of California's San Joaquin Valley, particularly in the areas of water infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation. He currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Among his key accomplishments are the co-founding of the bipartisan Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus and authoring state legislation that initiated California's High-Speed Rail project.

Jim Costa advocates for an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy that combines renewable energy with traditional sources to achieve national energy independence. On healthcare, he supports the Affordable Care Act while seeking improvements to lower costs, and he is a co-sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act to codify reproductive rights. His immigration platform focuses on comprehensive reform, including a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to address agricultural labor needs. Additionally, Costa is a vocal proponent of federal investment in water storage and infrastructure to support Central Valley farming, and he has consistently advocated for the formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and support for international human rights.