The heated race to represent California’s District 4 in Congress came to a head Tuesday night with political newcomer Eric Jones, a Silicon Valley-bred finance professional, narrowly leading over incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, according to early election results.
Jones had 51.5% of votes in the early returns compared to Thompson at 48.5%.
District 4 encompasses all of Napa, Sutter, Yuba and Colusa counties and parts of Lake, Placer, Sacramento, Sonoma and Yolo counties — a mix of strongholds for both left- and right-wing voters.
Thompson is 75 and Jones is 36. According to Federal Election Commission data, Jones’ campaign was the fifth-highest spender of all congressional campaigns this election, with more than $18 million in receipts — much of it Jones’ own money — and over $16 million in expenses. Thompson, meanwhile, reported a little over $5.4 million in contributions and more than $5.3 million in expenses.
Thompson sits on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, which writes taxes. He is a moderate Democrat whose campaign centered on environmental issues, housing affordability and veterans.
Jones ran on a progressive platform with an anti-war stance. Throughout his campaign, he touted the need for affordable health care and an end to corporate money in politics.
Jones successfully courted right-wing voters through numerous town halls and outreach to farmers in Yuba, Placer and Sutter counties.
Thompson’s home base in Napa County showed up for him in Tuesday’s election, with nearly 61% voting for the incumbent and 39% voting for Jones. Neighboring Sonoma County, which is partially represented by District 4, favored Thompson as well, handing him 54.9% of votes. Yolo County also voted 57% in favor of Thompson.
Conservative-leaning counties showed a different story. Sutter County returns favored Jones with 69% of the vote and Thompson at 31%. In Yuba County, Jones received 66.9% of votes, Thompson 33.1%; in Colusa County, which did not report percentages, Jones received over 1,100 votes, Thompson just under 800.
Lake County showed Jones with 54% of votes, Thompson with 46%. Sacramento County voted 62.6% in favor of Jones, 37.4% for Thompson. Placer County voted 62.9% for Jones, 37.1% for Thompson.