Jim Costa — U.S. Representative for CA-21
Jim Costa is a Democrat Representative representing California (district 21), serving a term from 2025-01-03 to 2027-01-03.
Overview
| Party | Democrat |
|---|---|
| Chamber | Representative |
| State | California |
| District | CA-21 |
| Current term | 2025-01-03 – 2027-01-03 |
| Born | 1952-04-13 |
| Bioguide ID | C001059 |
Election & Term History
Jim Costa has held 11 terms in Congress on record, first elected in 2005.
| Term | Office | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-04 – 2007-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-20 | Democrat |
| 2007-01-04 – 2009-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-20 | Democrat |
| 2009-01-06 – 2011-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-20 | Democrat |
| 2011-01-05 – 2013-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-20 | Democrat |
| 2013-01-03 – 2015-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-16 | Democrat |
| 2015-01-06 – 2017-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-16 | Democrat |
| 2017-01-03 – 2019-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-16 | Democrat |
| 2019-01-03 – 2021-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-16 | Democrat |
| 2021-01-03 – 2023-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-16 | Democrat |
| 2023-01-03 – 2025-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-21 | Democrat |
| 2025-01-03 – 2027-01-03 | U.S. Representative for CA-21 | Democrat |
Voting Record
In the 119th Congress, Jim Costa has cast 529 recorded votes. Based on DW-NOMINATE ideology scoring (Voteview, UCLA) -- a standard academic measure derived from actual roll-call vote patterns, not self-description -- Jim Costa is more conservative than 97% of House Democrats on the liberal-conservative spectrum this Congress.
| Ideology score (DW-NOMINATE, dim. 1) | -0.199 |
|---|---|
| Position within party | more conservative than 97% of House Democrats |
| Recorded votes this Congress | 529 |
| Votes with own party | 90.4% of contested roll-call votes |
| Missed votes | 26 of 643 (4.0%) |
Scale runs roughly -1 (most liberal) to +1 (most conservative); scores are relative rankings among the member's own chamber and party, not an absolute measure. "Votes with own party" compares each Yea/Nay vote to that party's majority position on the same roll call, for every recorded vote so far in the 119th Congress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What party is Jim Costa in?
Jim Costa is a Democrat, currently serving as U.S. Representative for CA-21.
How long has Jim Costa served in Congress?
Jim Costa's first term on record began in 2005, and their current term runs from 2025-01-03 to 2027-01-03.
How does Jim Costa's voting record compare to the rest of their party?
Based on DW-NOMINATE ideology scoring (Voteview, UCLA), Jim Costa is more conservative than 97% of House Democrats in the 119th Congress, having cast 529 recorded votes.
How often does Jim Costa vote with their own party?
Jim Costa has voted with the majority of their own party on 90.4% of contested roll-call votes so far in the 119th Congress, missing 26 of 643 recorded votes (4.0%).