Jimmy Panetta
U.S. House · CA-19 · Democrats · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · CA-19
Biography
Overview
Jimmy Panetta is a Democrat representing California's 19th congressional district since his first election in 2016. The district spans the Central Coast, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. He is a former Navy intelligence officer and deputy district attorney for Monterey County. Panetta is the son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who previously represented the same district from 1977 to 1993.
Career
Panetta has introduced legislation on trade enforcement, agricultural support, veteran benefits, and healthcare access. He has championed support for Ukraine during the 2022 invasion, signing a letter urging F-16 fighter jets be provided. He traveled to Taiwan in 2024 with a bipartisan delegation to signal support for Taiwan's government. He has been active in animal welfare issues, introducing the KITTEN Act twice to curtail animal testing. Panetta maintains strong support from progressive groups, with a 100% NARAL Pro-Choice America rating.
Prior political experience
Panetta was first elected in 2016, defeating Republican Casey Lucius. In 2018, he was reelected with 81.4% of the vote, defeating an independent challenger. In 2020, he was reelected to a third term with 76.8% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Jeff Gorman. The district is one of California's most Democratic areas; Democrats have held the seat and its predecessors continuously since 1977.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Jimmy Panetta
No active campaigns target Jimmy Panetta right now.
Start a campaign targeting Jimmy PanettaOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-19 | 2025–present | In progress | Jimmy Panetta | — |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-19 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Zoe Lofgren | Jimmy Panetta |
| 3rd | U.S. House CA-20 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Jimmy Panetta | Vince Fong |
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-20 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Jimmy Panetta | Jimmy Panetta |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-20 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Jim Costa | Jimmy Panetta |
Committee assignments
- TradeHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8228
To nullify the Presidential Proclamation relating to Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payments Problems, and for other purposes.
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7373
Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2026
Feb 4, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7318
Opportunities in Organic Act
Feb 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7188
MOLD Act
Jan 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7143
Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act
Jan 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7142
ACE Agriculture Act
Jan 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6810
MAIL Theft Act of 2025
Dec 17, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6696
Restoring American Mineral Security Act of 2025
Dec 12, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6666
HIRRE Prosecutors Act of 2025
Dec 11, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6588
PROVIDE Act
Dec 10, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8482
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify certain investment credit rules with respect to nuclear facilities.
Apr 23, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8450
To require a pilot program to enhance existing efforts to mitigate vessel impacts on large cetaceans in the San Francisco Bay region, and for other purposes.
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8397
To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8375
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain reforms under the Medicare Advantage program, and for other purposes.
Apr 20, 2026INTRODUCED - H.R. 8294
Millionaires Surtax Act
Apr 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8275
Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office Act
Apr 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8251
Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act
Apr 13, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8199
SCHEDULES Act of 2026
Apr 6, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8163
Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026
Mar 30, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8104
Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House CA-20 | Won | 76.78% |
|