Congress, District 19:  Panetta, who covers the biggest slice of San Jose, faces Republican Verbica

Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta faces Republican Peter Coe Verbica on Nov. 3 for the U.S. House seat in California's 19th Congressional District, which covers about 42% of San Jose's land area, the Secretary of State's candidate list shows.  Panetta lists his ballot job title as “United States Representative”; Verbica lists “Business Owner.”

Panetta has raised $3.62 million this cycle and had $5.47 million in the bank as of Oct. 14, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show.  Verbica had raised about $86,000 and had about $6,800 left.

In the June 2 primary, where the top two advance regardless of party, Panetta won 58.4% and Verbica 20.5%.

Panetta won 69.3% of the vote in 2024.

Panetta's campaign site says he wants to lower grocery and gas prices through federal spending on roads, rail and research, and he supports “universal health care” and more affordable housing.  No campaign website for Verbica was found.

The California Democratic Party endorses Panetta, according to the Santa Clara County Democratic Party's list; the California Republican Party endorses Verbica.

Statewide, likely voters favor Democratic House candidates 63% to 35% in an Oct. 16-22 survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

Source:  Secretary of State certified candidate list; June primary results; 2024 results; FEC, Panetta; FEC, Verbica; PPIC October survey; Santa Clara County Democratic Party report; California Republican Party endorsements; Panetta campaign site