Jimmy Panetta

Jimmy Panetta is a Democratic U.S. Representative serving California's 19th Congressional District. He was first elected to Congress in 2016, succeeding Sam Farr. Panetta grew up in Monterey County and is the son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. He earned an Associate's degree from Monterey Peninsula College, a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law. Before entering Congress, Panetta served as a deputy district attorney in Monterey and Alameda counties, where he prosecuted violent crimes and gang activity. He also served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2003 to 2011. In 2007, he volunteered for active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the Bronze Star for his service. In the House, he serves on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on the Budget, and he currently holds the role of Chief Deputy Whip.

Panetta advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare and has consistently opposed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. On economic issues, he focuses on addressing inflation through federal investments in infrastructure, including roads, rail, and broadband, while supporting tax credits for low- and middle-income housing. He supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and farmworkers through the DREAM Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, while also calling for increased border security resources such as additional officers and technology. His environmental platform emphasizes protecting the California coastline from offshore drilling, investing in clean energy, and passing legislation for wildfire prevention and reforestation. In foreign policy, he has been a vocal supporter of military aid to Ukraine and emphasizes the importance of national security and supporting veterans' services.