{{short description|American lawyer and politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jake Levine | birth_name = Jacob Caplan Levine | birth_date = | birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S. | office = Special Assistant to the President | image = Portrait of Jake Levine (cropped).png | caption = Levine in 2024 | president = Joe Biden | term_start = August 2024 | term_end = January 20, 2025 | party = Democratic | spouse = {{marriage|Jacqueline Alemany|2024}} | children = 1 | father = Mel Levine | relatives = Ellen Alemany (mother-in-law)<br>Connie Bruck (stepmother) | education = Harvard-Westlake School | alma_mater = Harvard University (AB, JD) | occupation = Lawyer }}
'''Jacob Caplan Levine''' is an American lawyer and politician who served as senior director for climate and energy on the United States National Security Council during the presidency of Joe Biden. A member of the Democratic Party, Levine was the chief climate officer for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from 2021 to 2024.
== Early life and education == Levine is the son of former U.S. Representative Mel Levine.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eskow |first=Nick |title=For political progeny, family business can be a balancing act |date=October 14, 2025 |language=en-US |work=Roll Call |url=https://rollcall.com/2025/10/14/grijalva-joins-nepo-babies-in-congress/ |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref name="LinhTat">{{Cite web|last=Tat |first=Linh |title=Election 2026: Jake Levine challenges Rep. Brad Sherman for LA congressional seat |date=August 18, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |language=en-US |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2025/08/18/election-2026-jake-levine-challenges-rep-brad-sherman-for-la-congressional-seat/ |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mason |first1=Melanie |last2=Gardiner |first2=Dustin |last3=Jones |first3=Blake |title=Incumbents under duress |work=POLITICO |date=August 5, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2025/08/05/incumbents-under-duress-00493515 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> Levine was raised in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles,<ref name="LAist">{{Cite web|last=Miller |first=Maya C. |title=Young California Democrats are challenging veteran House members in safe blue seats, including in LA |work=LAist |language=en-US |date=November 30, 2025 |url=https://laist.com/news/politics/young-california-democrats-are-challenging-veteran-house-members-in-safe-blue-seats-including-in-la |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317132341/https://laist.com/news/politics/young-california-democrats-are-challenging-veteran-house-members-in-safe-blue-seats-including-in-la |archive-date=March 17, 2026 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> in a home that would later be destroyed in the Palisades Fire.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levine |first=Jake |title=Let's not worsen L.A.'s inequality when recovering from the fires |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 28, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2025-01-28/los-angeles-fires-eaton-palisades-recovery-inequality |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
Levine was educated at Harvard-Westlake School, graduating in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Augsberger |first=Tessa |title=Alumni speak about sustainability during Scholar in Residence event |website=The Chronicle |publisher=Harvard-Westlake School |language=en-US |date=June 26, 2020 |url=https://hwchronicle.com/62919/news/alumni-speak-about-sustainability-during-scholar-in-residence-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710113540/https://hwchronicle.com/62919/news/alumni-speak-about-sustainability-during-scholar-in-residence-event/ |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> He received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Skinner |first=William C. |title=Lesser Is More Than Meets The Eye |work=The Harvard Crimson |language=en-US |date=December 5, 2014 |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/12/5/lesser-profile-harvard-college/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424111552/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/12/5/lesser-profile-harvard-college/ |archive-date=April 24, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> before graduating from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bell |first1=Suzanne |last2=Johnson |first2=Jennifer |last3=McMurrough |first3=Micaela |title=Covington Presenters |work=Covington & Burling |language=en-US |date=January 27–29, 2021 |url=https://www.cov.com/-/media/files/corporate/events/2021-technology-forum-bios-data-in-a-connected-world.pdf |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
== Career == thumb|Levine when he was visiting Kiev in 2024|leftAs an aide to President Barack Obama,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parnes |first=Amie |title=W.H. staffers depart for Harvard |work=POLITICO |language=en-US |date=June 16, 2011 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/wh-staffers-depart-for-harvard-057135 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227155435/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/wh-staffers-depart-for-harvard-057135 |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> Levine served in the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levine |first=Jake |title=WeChatting Toward the End of Climate Change |work=HuffPost |date=May 12, 2015 |language=en-US |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-wechat-will-end-climate-change_b_7262578 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> and later as energy and technology policy advisor to California State Senator Fran Pavley.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levine |first=Jake |title=These Are the Three Stories the Candidates Are Not Talking About in California, But Should Be |work=HuffPost |date=June 7, 2016 |language=en-US |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/these-are-the-three-stori_b_10341438 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
Levine was a key figure in the public utility software as a service company Opower, where he was chief of staff, strategy director,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levine |first=Jake |title=Good Climate Policy Is Good for Economic Growth |work=HuffPost |date=November 18, 2014 |language=en-US |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/good-climate-policy-is-go_b_6180686 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> and director of Latin American regulatory affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levine |first=Jake |title=3 Big Challenges for Latin America's Electricity Sector, 3 Big Strategies for a Successful Future |work=HuffPost |date=May 7, 2014 |language=en-US |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/3-big-challenges-for-lati_b_5276684 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
During the presidency of Joe Biden, Levine served as the chief climate officer for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from 2021 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Joselow |first=Maxine |title=The little-known agency helping Biden send climate cash overseas |work=The Washington Post |date=December 8, 2023 |language=en-US |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/12/08/little-known-agency-helping-biden-send-climate-cash-overseas/ |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jake Levine, Ex-Biden Climate Official, Launches Bid for Brad Sherman's House Seat |work=Valley Current |date=August 7, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.valley-current.com/news/regional/jake-levine-ex-biden-climate-official-launches-bid-for-brad-shermans-house-seat/article_685a41d8-319d-491d-9a27-560c668e397c.html |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> When he began working for the Biden administration, Levine said that their goal was pursuing "the most ambitious climate agenda of any major development finance institution in the world."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Letmon |first=Clare |title=Jake Levine on the Biden Administration's Global Climate Legacy |work=The Planning Report |date=January 9, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.planningreport.com/2025/01/09/jake-levine-biden-global-climate-legacy |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> From August 2024 to January 2025, Levine was a special assistant to President Biden and senior director for climate and energy on the United States National Security Council.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Schonhardt |first1=Sara |last2=Colman |first2=Zack |title=US climate officials race to ink a deal that Trump could spurn |work=POLITICO |date=November 21, 2024 |language=en-US |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/21/us-officials-fight-for-climate-deals-trump-rejection-threat-00191033 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bravender |first=Robin |title=Here's where Biden's green team has landed |work=POLITICO Pro |date=August 18, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2025/08/18/heres-where-bidens-green-team-has-landed-00513429 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
== 2026 U.S. House campaign == On August 5, 2025, Levine announced a campaign for the United States House of Representatives against incumbent Brad Sherman, to represent California's 32nd congressional district.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Michaelson |first=Elex |title=Jake Levine challenging Brad Sherman for California's 32nd District |work=KTTV |date=August 13, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.foxla.com/video/1691009 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Obama, Biden Administration Official To Challenge Rep. Brad Sherman |work=Westside Current |date=August 6, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/obama-biden-administration-official-to-challenge-rep-brad-sherman/article_f7c4f566-2ac6-4724-ba2e-0d42be8d77fd.html |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Nir |first1=David |last2=Singer |first2=Jeff |title=Morning Digest: A billionaire hoping to lead California just trashed nearly all his fellow Democrats |work=The Downballot |date=August 6, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-digest-a-billionaire-hoping |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> His candidacy has been analyzed as part of a trend in 2026 of younger primary challengers to Democratic incumbents.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kamisar |first1=Ben |last2=Bowman |first2=Bridget |last3=Murphy |first3=Joe |title=More Democrats are facing well-funded primary challenges as the party reckons with its future |work=NBC News |date=October 16, 2025 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/democrats-are-facing-well-funded-primary-challengers-party-reckons-fut-rcna237798 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=White |first=Jeremy B. |title=Dems unleash House primary challenges in war on gerontocracy |work=POLITICO |date=September 16, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/16/democrats-generational-challenges-california-00565027?nid=00000150-384f-da43-aff2-bf7fd35a0000&nname=california-playbook&nrid=0000014e-f0ee-dd93-ad7f-f8eff1870001 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mason |first1=Melanie |last2=Gardiner |first2=Dustin |last3=Jones |first3=Blake |title=Rick Caruso's next act |work=POLITICO |language=en-US |date=February 26, 2026 |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2026/02/26/rick-carusos-next-act-00799863 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref><ref name="JewishJournal">{{Cite web|last=Deutch |first=Gabby |title=Brad Sherman keeps a wary eye on younger primary opposition |website=Jewish Journal |publisher=The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles |date=August 19, 2025 |language=en-US |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/08/brad-sherman-primary-opposition-jake-rakov-jake-levine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124083539/https://jewishinsider.com/2025/08/brad-sherman-primary-opposition-jake-rakov-jake-levine/ |archive-date=January 24, 2026 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
Levine refused donations from corporate PACs during his campaign, a major point of contrast with Sherman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller |first=Maya C. |title=Young California Democrats are challenging veteran House members in safe blue seats |work=CalMatters |language=en-US |date=November 28, 2025 |url=https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/11/congress-young-dem-challengers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223220735/https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/11/congress-young-dem-challengers/ |archive-date=February 23, 2026 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> He was endorsed by J Street and the League of Conservation Voters,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jake Levine |url=https://jstreetpac.org/candidate/jake-levine/ |publisher=J Street PAC |access-date=February 7, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=LCV Action Fund Announces New Round of Endorsements for U.S. House of Representatives |url=https://www.lcv.org/media-center/lcv-action-fund-announces-new-round-of-endorsements-for-u-s-house-of-representatives/ |publisher=League of Conservation Voters |access-date=February 6, 2026}}</ref> and campaigned as a supporter of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalaydjian |first=Mihran |title=The Jake Levine Interview. Housing, Safety, and Gridlock, the Challenges Facing California's 32nd District |website=CityWatch |publisher=CityWatch Los Angeles |language=en-US |date=March 16, 2026 |url=https://www.citywatchla.com/la-election-2022/32414-the-jake-levine-interview-housing-safety-and-gridlock-the-challenges-facing-californias-32nd-district |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317024934/https://www.citywatchla.com/la-election-2022/32414-the-jake-levine-interview-housing-safety-and-gridlock-the-challenges-facing-californias-32nd-district |archive-date=March 17, 2026 |access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
== Personal life == Levine became engaged to journalist Jacqueline Alemany in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Lizza |first1=Ryan |last2=Bade |first2=Rachael |last3=Daniels |first3=Eugene |title=Playbook: Mike Johnson faces his first big test |work=POLITICO |date=November 12, 2023 |language=en-US |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2023/11/12/mike-johnson-faces-his-first-big-test-00126726}}</ref> The couple married on October 3, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Connor |first=Florence |title=Why One Bride Made Her Entire Wedding Dress the "Something Blue" |work=Vogue |date=October 3, 2024 |language=en-US |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/why-one-bride-made-her-wedding-dress-the-something-blue}}</ref> and their first child was born in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cordover |first=Emma |title=Two MSNBC Hosts on Motherhood and Covering Trump 2.0 |work=POLITICO |language=en-US |date=May 2, 2025 |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/women-rule/2025/05/02/two-msnbc-hosts-on-motherhood-and-covering-trump-2-0-00323254 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> They reside in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.<ref name="LinhTat" /> Levine is Jewish.<ref name="JewishJournal" />
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.jakelevineforcongress.com/ Jake Levine for Congress campaign website]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Levine, Jake}} Category:California Democrats Category:California lawyers Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Harvard Law School alumni Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Jewish American people in California politics Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Los Angeles Category:Year of birth missing (living people)