Jim CostaIncumbent

Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 21

Jim Costa is a Democrat in the U.S. House. He is the incumbent for California's 21st Congressional District. The district covers parts of Fresno and Tulare counties. They sit in the San Joaquin Valley. He has represented the Valley in Congress since 2005. He served under earlier district numbers, CA-20 and CA-16. The current CA-21 lines took effect in 2023. Before Congress, Costa served in the California State Assembly (1978-1994). He was elected at age 26. He was the state's youngest legislator at the time. He later served in the California State Senate (1994-2002). He is a descendant of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores. Costa grew up on a family dairy farm in Fresno's Kearney Park area. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science. It came from California State University, Fresno. He worked as a legislative aide before his own election. Costa still farms almonds in the San Joaquin Valley. In Congress, he is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a fiscally-focused group. He serves on the House Agriculture and Foreign Affairs committees. Home: Fresno, California (San Joaquin Valley). Occupation: U.S. Representative (incumbent); almond farmer. Prior office: incumbent since 2005 (CA-20 2005-2013, CA-16 2013-2023, CA-21 since 2023). He served before in the CA State Senate (1994-2002) and the CA State Assembly (1978-1994).

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