21st Congressional District: Crowded field looks to challenge Costa
Democratic Representative Jim Costa is seeking his 11th term in the House in the 2026 Primary Election—a five candidates are looking to stop that from happening.
Costa represents the 21st Congressional District—which includes portions of Fresno and Tulare County. He was first elected to public office in 1978, when he was elected to the California State Assembly. The third-generation farmer serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is a member of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition and the Problem Solvers Caucus.
Redistricting under Proposition 50 has brought on new opponents for Costa, now that a portion of Clovis is part of the district.
Among them: Republicans Lorenzo Rios and Kyle Kirkland.
Rios is a political newcomer, but familiar to many through his work in the non-profit sector.
Rios came to the United States as a child from Mexico, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was later commissioned as an Army Officer, for a combined 23 year…