Rep. Jim Costa

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D California, 20th (2005-2013), 16th (2013-2023), 21st (2023-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: James Manuel Costa
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: jim KAHS-tuh
Date of Birth: April 13, 1952 (age: 72)
Place of Birth: Fresno, Calif.
Religion: Roman Catholic
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Place of Residence: Fresno, Calif.
Occupation: Farmer

Wikipedia

Family:

Single

Relations with people in our database:

Cousin of Ken Costa

Biography:

Jim Costa was sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing California in January, 2005. Raised on a dairy farm in Fresno’s Kearney Park area, Congressman Costa is a third-generation family farmer. As a member of Congress, Costa has applied his farming background to fighting for Valley water, agriculture, and the economy.

A lifelong resident of the Valley, Costa’s committee assignments allow him to effectively advocate for the district. Costa fights for the Valley’s fair share of water. This includes securing funding for dams, working to overturn unfair federal water regulations, and increasing Valley water allocations. Costa has worked to increase federal support for Valley agriculture through the Farm Bil l and other programs. When a milk price crisis devastated the region’s dairy industry, Costa introduced legislation to protect Valley dairy families and local jobs.

Costa’s work to improve the Valley stretches across the district. During his first term in office, Costa put together a broad-based bipartisan coalition aimed at developing a Regional Water Plan for Central California. He also led the negotiations between the City of Fresno and the State of California that secured the final funding necessary to complete the new Amtrak station in Fresno. During the 109th Congress, Costa played a leading role in the bipartisan effort to secure Highway 99 funding in the infrastructure bonds approved by California voters in 2006. Costa was also a principal in the successful effort to secure Congressional approval of plans to keep Fresno's 144th Air National Guard Fighter Wing viable well into the future. As the primary author of state legislation to create the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Costa continues to work with local and state officials to clean up the Valley's air.

Costa’s efforts to strengthen Valley agriculture and the economy have been recognized by organizations like The American Farm Bureau Federation who named him a recipient of its "Friend of the Farm Bureau" award. Costa has also received the "Spirit of Enterprise" award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Costa’s work to crack down on violent crime and advocate for victims’ rights was recognized by the National Organization for Victim Assistance, which named him recipient of the Donald E. Santarelli Public Policy Award for demonstrating outstanding public policy leadership.

A product of Fresno County schools, Costa is a graduate of San Joaquin Memorial High School and has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Costa served for 24 years in the California State Legislature. He was in the California State Assembly from 1978 to 1994 and then in the California State Senate from 1994 to 2002. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

Email, campaign: info@jimcosta.com

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Flickr, campaign

Social Networking:

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

Threads, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Education

California State University, Fresno - BA, political science (1974)
San Joaquin Memorial High School (Fresno, Calif.) - Diploma (1970)

Greek Organizations:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2023-) In Office

Member, 21st Congressional District of California
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2013-Jan. 2, 2023) Changed District

Member, 16th Congressional District of California
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2005-Jan. 2, 2013) Changed District

Member, 20th Congressional District of California

State Legislature Offices:

California Senate (1994-2002)

D Senator, District 16

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

16th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 59.38%
Democrat

Kevin Cookingham, 40.62%
Republican
2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

16th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 57.55%
Democrat

Elizabeth Heng, 42.45%
Republican
2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

16th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 58.03%
Democrat

Johnny Martin Tacherra, 41.97%
Republican
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

16th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 50.73%
Democrat

Johnny Martin Tacherra, 49.27%
Republican
2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

16th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 57.41%
Democrat

Brian Daniel Whelan, 42.59%
Republican
2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

20th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 51.70%
Democrat

James Andrew Vidak (Andy), 48.30%
Republican
2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)

20th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 74.33%
Democrat

Jim Lopez, 25.67%
Republican
2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)

20th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 100.00%
Democrat
2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)

20th Congressional District of California

James Manuel Costa (Jim), 53.40%
Democrat

Roy Ashburn, 46.60%
Republican

Associated Organizations

Board membership:

Transatlantic Policy Network
U.S. Chair, Advisory Steering Committee
Maddy Institute
Board Member
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Inc. (Dec. 2010-)
Member, Advisory Council

Election campaign:

Jim Costa for Congress (California)

Awards

Legislator Award (International Association of Drilling Contractors) (Sept. 2023)
Champion of Healthcare Innovation (Healthcare Leadership Council) (July 2023)
Hero Award (American Trucking Associations Inc.) (Jan. 2020)
Legislator Award (International Association of Drilling Contractors) (June 2018)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2018)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (March 2017)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2017)
Hero of Main Street (National Retail Federation) (Oct. 2016)
Defender of Housing (National Association of Home Builders) (Sept. 2016)
Guardian of Small Business (National Federation of Independent Business Inc.) (Sept. 2016)

Official Signature

Contact Information

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	2081 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0521
Phone:	202-225-3341
Fax:	202-225-9308

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

32 trips taken between 2005 - 2024 costing $210,054

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2014 (Amendment), 2014 (Amendment), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2011 (Amendment), 2010, 2010 (Amendment), 2009, 2009 (Amendment), 2008, 2008 (Amendment), 2007, 2007 (Amendment), 2006, 2005, 2003
Election Candidate: 2004
Extension Letter: 2023, 2023, 2022, 2022, 2022, 2021, 2020
Stock transaction: 03/30/2022, 05/12/2016
» see more

Foreign Gifts

3/23/2013-3/29/2013: Ground transportation in Berlin and Munich from Germany
5/3/2016-5/5/2016: Airfare from Oslo to Copenhagen, two nights lodging, one lunch, one dinner, train fare to and from airport to Stockholm City Center from Sweden

» See more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.18
(House Average: 0.25)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $56,336.54
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

House Agriculture Committee

House Agriculture Committee Commodity Markets, Digital Assets and Rural Development Subcommittee

House Agriculture Committee Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee, Ranking Member

House Foreign Affairs Committee Europe Subcommittee

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye

Short-lived lobbyist rejoins California delegation

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on June 15, 2021
A Democratic staffer is back on the Hill after a very brief lobbying stint. read more
Democratic LD moves to California-focused firm

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on June 2, 2021
A legislative director has traded his experience with the California delegation for a Golden State-focused lobbying firm. read more
Rep. Costa adds First Amendment advocate

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Feb. 28, 2018
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has lost an advocate to the office of Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.). read more
Booz Allen snags Rep. Costa aide

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Jan. 19, 2018
A former aide to Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) has left the Hill for Booz Allen Hamilton. read more
Remembrance of Boehner's legacy mixes harmony with partisanship

Posted by Steve Shapiro on Sept. 28, 2015
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) was praised by Democrats and Republicans alike after his announcement of his resignation last Friday, but congressional press releases about the event still revealed partisanship in the Capitol. read more
Two Barber staffers leave office amid recount

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on Dec. 10, 2014
As a recount continues to determine whether Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) will overcome his Republican challenger, two staffers have already jumped ship. read more
Posted by Garrett Snedeker on Sept. 12, 2012
A new aide to Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) returns to the House this month after spending the last four years lobbying for repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. read more
Israel jaunts set record for most costly trips

Posted by Daimon Eklund on Sept. 12, 2011
The American Israel Education Foundation has spent a record amount to send members of Congress and their staff to Israel in 2011, even before all the numbers are in. read more

Weekly Updates

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In the News

Rep. Jim Costa

Biographical

Family:

Relations with people in our database:

Biography:

Miscellaneous Links:

Campaign Links:

Social Networking:

Official Links:

Press Releases

Education

Greek Organizations:

Office History

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)

2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)

2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)

Associated Organizations

Awards

Official Signature

Contact Information

Privately Financed Travel

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

Personal Financial Disclosures

Foreign Gifts

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Staff Salary Rate:

Staff Salaries Paid:

Committees

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye