Having grown up on the central coast of California, Representative Panetta understands the importance of giving back to the community and country that gave his Italian immigrant grandparents, his family, and him so much opportunity. He was instilled with a sense of public service and its importance to our communities and democracy and his work is reflective of the values of the people who entrusted him to be their voice in our nation's capital.

During his time in Congress, Representative Panetta has fought for affordable housing, immigration reform, the continued protection of our pristine coastline and environment, accessible health care, our agriculture industry and its farmers and farmworkers, the reduction of gun violence, a fairer tax code, major infrastructure investment, sustainable conservation practices, our military installations that are an integral part in our community and our country's security, and the deserved and promised benefits to our veterans. Through policy implementation in Congress and service to constituents, Representative Panetta remains committed to being that bridge for the people of California's 19th Congressional District to the federal government and its resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he secured $1.4 billion in relief for communities and families in California's 19th Congressional District and ensured relief was available for schools, local small businesses, as well as farmers and farmworkers. He has passed into law legislation to promote clean energy, protect California's forests and pollinators, support frontline health care workers, tackle hunger among military families, and provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness.

Prior to Congress, Representative Panetta served his community as a prosecutor in Monterey and Alameda Counties and served our country as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. In 2007, Congressman Panetta volunteered for active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Upon returning home, he served as a board member of the Veterans Transition Center, helped open Monterey County's first Veterans Treatment Court, and worked to establish the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on the former Fort Ord. Representative Panetta attended local public schools and Monterey Peninsula Community College. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with an undergraduate degree in International Relations and earned his law degree from Santa Clara University. His wife, Carrie Panetta, is a Superior Court judge in Monterey County, and they have two daughters who are being educated at the same local public schools attended by Representative Panetta.