San Diego Rep. Sara Jacobs is pushing to become vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, which has been suddenly remade by a historic wave of victories in last week’s midterm election.
If elected to help lead the new House majority, Jacobs said she would use her role to fight for policies aimed at easing the cost-of-living pressures facing American families — particularly the rising costs of child care.
“My focus is making sure we’re addressing the high cost of living here in San Diego and across the country, and in particular the cost of housing and the cost of child care,” she told Times of San Diego on election night. “It is the perfect moment for us to enact universal free child care for every family in America, and I am hopeful that with this big Democratic majority, we’ll be able to get that done.”
Three of the last four vice chairs have been Californians, including Rep. Ted Lieu, who is term-limited. Lieu is expected to become caucus chair, the third-highest Democratic leadership position in a House majority.
But Jacobs’ California ties could prove a hindrance to her campaign. Representatives could prefer more geographical balance in party leadership — especially if Lieu moves up the hierarchy. Jacobs is running against Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois.
Underwood, like Jacobs, has emphasized affordability.
“Supporting working families also means making sure that families can access affordable child care,” she told WTTW News during her reelection bid. “Finally, tackling the affordability crisis also means addressing rising housing costs across northern Illinois.”
The two congresswomen have similar track records within the Democratic Party, though Underwood was first elected one cycle earlier. Their policy priorities have differed during their tenures.
Jacobs has focused on foreign policy, defense, international development and human rights during her first three terms in Congress. Underwood, a registered nurse, has spent her four terms working on disaster response, health care, maternal health, appropriations and public health emergencies.
Both women have been staunch opponents of President Donald Trump and have been part of a generational shift within the Democratic Party — one that was increasingly evident after the midterms.
Jacobs said that growing up in San Diego, she never thought there would be a time when the entire San Diego delegation was blue.
“It is wild, and I think it’s a real testament to all of the people here in San Diego who have been doing the hard work and building community and making sure people understood who was fighting for them,” she said.
The “bluenami” is now projected to flip 44 seats, giving Democrats their biggest House majority since 1990. Jacobs said the midterms showed the trust voters are putting into the Democratic Party right now.
“It’s important that now that the American people have put their trust in us, that we are able to deliver on that,” she said. “And I think I have a lot to offer our caucus to be able to do that — as the youngest member from the California delegation, one of the youngest women ever elected to Congress, the youngest Jewish member of Congress and as someone who has a lot of experience,” Jacobs said.
Democrats are expected to hold leadership elections as early as Nov. 18 and 19.
