Jacobs Prevails In Race For 53rd District Congressional Seat

Speaker 1: 00:00 Sarah Jacobs has won her bid for a seat in Congress. Jacob's defeated San Diego city council member Georgette Gomez in the 53rd congressional district. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that the district has had a new representative and Democrat Jacobs will join a house of representatives that has maintained its democratic majority. And Sarah Jacobs joins me now. And Sarah, congratulations. Speaker 2: 00:23 Thank you so much. It's so great to be here with you. Speaker 1: 00:27 Now, you said that you represent a new generation of leaders. What do you think distinguishes that new generation? Speaker 2: 00:35 I think that being a new generation of leaders is about looking at old problems with a new lens and a sense of urgency, looking at new problems that, you know, Congress hasn't really been addressing it and also doing things differently and listening to everyone and respecting everyone and working with everyone to get things done. Speaker 1: 00:55 Give me an example of some of the issues that you'd like to look at or look at differently. Speaker 2: 01:01 I think the next Congress is going to be entirely focused on getting us out of this current public health and economic crisis. And my focus will be making sure that assistance gets to those who need it most our families and our small businesses. And I really want to make sure that in any stimulus package that passes, we have funding for childcare because we know so many families are really struggling with that. Speaker 1: 01:24 There are so many issues, as you say, that are facing this new Congress. What congressional committees do you have in mind that you'd like to join? Speaker 2: 01:32 I really hope to do something either in foreign affairs or armed services, given my background and the fact that so many members of our district are veterans and, and military families. Uh, and I'm also hoping to be able to work on early childhood education and childcare. So that would be education and labor. Speaker 1: 01:50 You know, it looks like no matter the ultimate outcome of the presidential race, Washington will still be politically polarized. How will you get anything done in that environment? Well, Speaker 2: 02:01 I think it just highlights how important it is to have leaders who can United us and can bring our country back together. And that's how we ran our campaign. Never compromising on our values, but building coalitions. And that's exactly how I'll govern. And while there are some issues that we can never compromise on. I also think there are a lot of areas like childcare, like support for small businesses, like infrastructure, like getting us out of this current economic and public health crisis that we can find bipartisan compromise on and make sure we're actually getting things done for families in our communities. Speaker 1: 02:36 No a lot was made during the campaign about the fact that you were fairly new to the 53rd district. How are you going to make sure that you are in touch with your constituents and their needs and their opinions? Speaker 2: 02:48 Well, I think the results of this election are a Testament to the way that I intend to govern, uh, which is to be out in the community as much as possible to make sure that we are constantly in conversation with constituents in the district, uh, and to make sure that everyone knows that even when we disagree, I will always listen and respect them. Speaker 1: 03:08 You know, there was a hope among some Democrats that there would be a sweep in this election, right. May be that we have a divided government again. So how will you be working on this stimulus package with your Republican colleagues? Speaker 2: 03:24 You know, I think that, uh, it's going to be important for us to get something done and to make sure that whoever is the president and whoever controls the Senate, that we are taking care of our families and our small businesses who are really struggling right now. And I know from talking to many of my future colleagues, um, that there is a lot of appetite on both sides of the aisle to make sure that we're actually helping people through this time. Speaker 1: 03:52 Are you looking forward to moving to Washington, Washington DC? Speaker 2: 03:56 Well, I'll definitely still be as San Diego and you know, San Diego is my home, but, um, you know, excited to take on this new journey and to really roll my sleeves up and get to work for the people of the 53rd congressional district. Speaker 1: 04:10 Okay. All right then. Well, Sarah, thank you so much. I really do appreciate your time and congratulations again. Speaker 2: 04:17 Thank you. Thank you. Looking forward to talking to you again soon. I'm sure.