Democratic Rep. Jim Costa in rematch with GOP’s Michael Maher
Longtime Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, is up against a familiar face in the March 5 primary for California’s 21st Congressional District.
Republican Michael Maher, who fell by more than 8 percentage points in the November 2022 election, is in for a rematch.
The solidly-Democratic 21st, which covers the majority of Fresno, takes parts of Fresno and Tulare counties.
Since it’s just Costa and Maher on the ballot, both will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
Jim Costa
Party: Democratic
Age: 71
Birthplace: Fresno, California
Residence: Fresno, California
Occupation: U.S. Representative, farmer
Education: Fresno State (BA in Political Science)
Offices held: U.S. Representative, 2005-present; California State Senator, 1994-2002; California State Assemblyman, 1978-1994
Campaign website address: jimcosta.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
We cannot undermine our country’s economic potential to compete and win in the 21st century. We must find common agreement on how to manage our spending to meet the needs of American families. To be successful in bending the curve and significantly reducing our deficit, Republicans and Democrats need to reach an agreement on how to address long-term expenditures and ensure revenues are there to pay for priorities that American’s count on.
In the 118th Congress, House Democrats have already cut the deficit by historic levels and President Joe Biden’s budget reduces deficits by $3 trillion more over the next 10 years while investing in America — lowering costs by making child care, health care and housing more affordable, supporting better schools and strengthening our infrastructure.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?
Every woman in America deserves to make their own health care decisions. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the Supreme Court has diminished a 50-year precedent that is having a profound impact across our country.
Some states have enacted abortion bans and draconian laws that are punishing women for seeking reproductive health services. No woman should be punished for doing what is right for herself and her family. That is why I have been working in Congress to defend and protect reproductive rights nationwide.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
The House Republicans continue to put forth extreme ideas that will do nothing to fix our broken immigration system. It is clear the challenges at the border between the U.S. and Mexico are multifaceted and must be addressed — this is not new. Building a wall is not a real solution. The necessary solutions include, but are not limited to, improved border security and cooperation with our neighbors to the south on dealing with human trafficking, drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
We cannot continue to ignore the challenges facing our nation and do nothing to protect farmworkers or DREAMers who contribute so much to our national economy and culture. Both Republicans and Democrats need to come to the table and enact bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform. By working together, we can protect DREAMers and solve workforce challenges while also strengthening our nation’s border security.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
It is incumbent upon us, and the next generation of Americans, to put a plan in place to address climate change. That is why I supported the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. This is the most comprehensive effort any nation has made to address the long-term impacts of climate change. Clearly more needs to be done, and we need the cooperation of countries throughout the world to do their part.
The U.S. is leading the way to address climate change, but we cannot do it alone. We must develop more strategies and projects to aid our communities and continue our efforts to implement pollution-reducing projects that will ultimately increase our quality of life. I have been working to improve our Valley’s air quality by reducing sources of emissions through multiple strategies in conjunction with the state and the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District.
Reducing emissions and reducing pollution needs to be a top priority for our entire country. We must provide federal and state planning assistance, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate pollution reduction grant, so our communities have the expertise and resources to address climate change.
Michael Maher
Party: Republican
Occupation: Aviation business owner
Campaign website address: michaelmaher.com
Did not respond to emailed questions.
This story was originally published February 5, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Democratic Rep. Jim Costa in rematch with GOP’s Michael Maher."
