Monterey Times

Jimmy Panetta, a U.S. Congressman representing California’s 19th district since 2017, shared his thoughts on various issues through a series of tweets recently. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1969 and residing in Carmel Valley, Panetta has been an active voice in Congress since succeeding Sam Farr. With degrees from the University of California, Davis and Santa Clara University, he continues to engage with both local and international matters.

On March 4, 2025, Panetta expressed admiration for Julie Packard's contributions to ocean conservation during her tenure at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He remarked that "Julie Packard’s leadership at the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been nothing short of transformative." He acknowledged her vision as an enduring legacy that will inspire future generations even after she steps down as Executive Director.

The following day, on March 5, Panetta addressed geopolitical concerns regarding Ukraine's struggle for survival amidst external pressures. In his tweet, he criticized certain political figures by stating that "Ukraine is fighting for its survival... Instead of standing with our allies, Trump & Vance undermined President Zelenskyy & played into Putin’s hands." He emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in its defense efforts.

Later that day, Panetta highlighted domestic issues related to federal service cuts under Elon Musk's decisions. Referring to his guest at the president's address who was affected by these changes, he tweeted "Tonight, my guest to the president’s address is a public servant who Elon Musk terminated... jeopardizing wildfire prevention efforts and other vital federal services that we rely on." He underscored the significance of public service and ensuring presidential awareness.