Eric Jones Defeats Mike Thompson in California House Race

Eric Jones, a 36-year-old political newcomer, defeated 14-term U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson in the race for California’s 4th Congressional District. The Associated Press called the contest on November 13, ten days after the election. Jones led 52.5% to 47.5%. The district was redrawn under Proposition 50 and stretches from Napa County to Sutter County.

Jones, a venture capitalist and nonprofit executive, spent $14.8 million of his own money on the campaign. He ran on political reform and affordability, calling for limits on corporate money in politics and lower living costs. He also supported expanding Medicare and cutting taxes for low- and middle-income Americans. Jones said his campaign held more than 200 town halls and knocked on 500,000 doors.

Thompson, first elected to Congress in 1998, had support from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and the state's Democratic Party. He acknowledged the result on November 13, saying he was proud of his service and pointing to his efforts on water policy, wildfire prevention, reducing gun violence and conservation. Jones will represent the redrawn district in the House.

Jones’s Reform-and-Affordability Campaign Topples Democratic Veteran

Eric Jones’s call for a new generation of leadership prevailed over the long-established Democratic political network in California’s 4th Congressional District. The 36-year-old newcomer defeated 14-term Rep. Mike Thompson, taking 52.5% of the vote to Thompson’s 47.5% in a race called on November 13.

Jones vowed to curb business influence in politics and make everyday expenses more affordable. He also backed expanding Medicare and cutting taxes for low- and middle-income Americans. He said his campaign held more than 200 town halls and knocked on half a million doors, arguing that voters who felt left behind by the political system responded to his message.

Jones financed the campaign with $14.8 million of his own money. Thompson, first elected to Congress in 1998, had support from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and the state's Democratic Party. The result puts a self-funded challenger who campaigned on reform ahead of a veteran backed by the state party’s leading Democrats. Thompson acknowledged the outcome and highlighted his efforts on water, wildfires, gun violence and conservation.

Self-Funded Democrat Wins House Seat After Spending $14.8 Million

A wealthy political newcomer has won a seat in Congress after pouring $14.8 million of his own money into a campaign against a longtime Democratic incumbent. Eric Jones defeated Rep. Mike Thompson in California’s 4th District, with the race called on November 13 and Jones leading 52.5% to 47.5%.

Jones pledged to curb business influence in politics, make living costs more affordable and require the government to balance its spending. Yet his campaign relied on millions of dollars from his own fortune. He also supported expanding Medicare and cutting taxes for low- and middle-income Americans. Jones said his campaign held more than 200 town halls and knocked on 500,000 doors.

Thompson, a 14-term congressman first elected in 1998, had endorsements from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and the state's Democratic Party. The loss shows that party backing did not secure his seat against Jones’s well-funded challenge. Thompson acknowledged the result and highlighted his record on water policy, wildfire prevention, gun violence and conservation.