Sara Josephine Jacobs (born February 1, 1989) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for , 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. She is the Caucus Leadership Representative, making her the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership.
Early life and education
Jacobs was born in Del Mar, California, on February 1, 1989, and raised in San Diego. 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.
Early career
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. During her later congressional campaign, Jacobs drew attention for falsely claiming to have been a "policymaker" at the State Department. Jacobs did not make policy for the State Department, instead working at a junior level for a contractor, not for the Department itself. She then served as a policy advisor on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. After the election, Jacobs formed a nonprofit called San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty.
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. 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.
2020
In 2020, Jacobs ran in . She finished first in the top-two primary, and defeated San Diego City Council President Georgette Gómez in the November general election. She became the youngest United States Representative from California when she assumed office on January 3, 2021.
During her political campaigns, Jacobs has received significant funding from her grandfather. 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.
2022
Following redistricting from the 2020 United States census, Jacobs ran in California's 51st congressional district.
Tenure
In 2022, Jacobs authored legislation to regulate the collection of personal reproductive health data, as in period-tracking apps. Mazie Hirono and Ron Wyden introduced a version in the U.S. Senate.
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.
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress: Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa (Ranking Member) Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
Caucus memberships
Congressional Equality Caucus (Vice Chair) New Democrat Coalition Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Congressional Progressive Caucus Medicare for All Caucus
Political positions
Reproductive data privacy
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.
Climate change
Jacobs calls climate change "one of the biggest threats facing humanity". She wants a zero-carbon, clean energy economy by 2030.
Democratic Party leadership
In 2022, Jacobs said she supported Nancy Pelosi remaining Democratic leader.
Health care
Jacobs supports Medicare for All.