Juan Vargas
DemocratU.S. Representative, CA-52| Age | 65 (b. 1961-03-07) |
| Gender | Male |
| In office since | 2013-01-03 (~13 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | Hispanic/Latino (Mexican American); parents immigrated from Mexico via the Bracero program |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (former Jesuit novice) |
| Education | BA in political science (magna cum laude), University of San Diego, 1983; MA in humanities, Fordham University, 1987; JD, Harvard Law School, 1991 |
| Prior occupation | Attorney; insurance executive (Safeco); former Jesuit novice/missionary worker |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | National City, California |
| Languages | English, Spanish |
| Marital status | Married — Adrienne D'Ascoli |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | San Diego, California |
Pending research: notable relatives · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2012 |
| Previous offices | San Diego City Council, District 8 (1993-2000) · California State Assembly, 79th District (2000-2006) · California State Senate, 40th District (2010-2013) |
| Committees | Committee on Financial Services · Subcommittee on Capital Markets · Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy · Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions |
| Caucuses | Congressional Hispanic Caucus · New Democrat Coalition · Congressional Progressive Caucus · Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Climate Solutions Caucus · Congressional Equality Caucus · Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans · Rare Disease Caucus |
| Ideology | Generally rated a mainstream-to-liberal Democrat; member of both the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus |
| Signature legislation | AB 188 (California) - ban on smoking in children's playgrounds · Created 'Operation Restore' graffiti-removal program employing homeless people (San Diego) |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed + (2018) · estimate
| Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Investor Class | fund · $500,001–$1,000,000 · 2018 |
| Investment property in San Diego | real_estate · $500,001–$1,000,000 · 2018 |
Top donors: AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) ($162,052 (2024 cycle)) · New Democrat Coalition Action Fund ($19,500 (2024 cycle))
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — FEC MUR 4742 – Vargas for Congress '96 Reporting Violation (Conciliation Agreement)
A complaint filed May 12, 1998 (MUR 4742) alleged that Vargas for Congress '96 and its treasurer Deanna Liebergot violated campaign finance reporting requirements (2 U.S.C. §434(b)) — specifically failing to properly report debts owed to The Primacy Group and related excessive/prohibited contribution issues during Vargas's 1996 California congressional primary race. On March 5, 2001, the FEC voted 6-0 to accept a conciliation agreement; the committee and treasurer paid a $2,700 civil penalty. The FEC closed the file on Vargas personally with no individual finding against him.
resolved — FEC MUR 6865 – Azano Foreign-National Donation Scheme (No Violation Found)
Mexican billionaire Jose Susumo Azano Matsura was convicted of illegally funneling nearly $600,000 in foreign-national contributions into 2012 San Diego political campaigns, including approximately $30,000 routed to a Vargas-associated committee via straw donors. The FEC opened MUR 6865 but found no reason to believe Vargas or his campaign treasurer violated the law. Vargas voluntarily returned the tainted donations ($3,500 from straw donor Ernesto Encinas) and stated he was unaware of the illegal source. No penalty was assessed against Vargas or his committee.