Panetta, Jimmy

Jimmy Panetta is a Democratic representative from California's 19th Congressional District, which spans from south San Jose through Santa Cruz and Monterey counties to northern San Luis Obispo County. First elected in 2016, he is currently serving his fifth term in Congress. Before entering the House, Panetta worked as a prosecutor in Alameda and Monterey counties, where he focused on gang violence and violent crime. He also served as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, volunteering for active duty in 2007 and deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, for which he received the Bronze Star.\n\nIn Congress, Panetta serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on the Budget, reflecting his focus on fiscal and economic policy. He also holds a leadership position as Chief Deputy Whip in the 119th Congress. His legislative priorities include trade policy, agricultural sustainability, veterans' affairs, and environmental protection. Recent bills he has sponsored include the Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2026, the Opportunities in Organic Act, and the MOLD Act, among nearly 100 total sponsored measures.\n\nPanetta has secured significant federal funding for his district, including over $15 million in community project funding for local infrastructure, public safety, and affordable housing initiatives. He has also championed legislation on clean energy, forest protection, pollinator conservation, and support for military families and homeless veterans. His work reflects his background growing up on California's Central Coast and his family's tradition of public service.