Eric Jones, a former venture capitalist, declared victory Friday in the race for California’s 4th Congressional District seat, ending the long career of U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson.
Jones received 52.5% of the vote to Thompson’s 47.5%, according to the latest results reported by the California Secretary of State’s Office.
District 4 encompasses all of Napa, Sutter, Yuba and Colusa counties and parts of Lake, Placer, Sacramento, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
“This victory does not belong to me,” Jones, 36, a Napa Democrat, said on social media. “It belongs to every family that opened their door, every volunteer who made one more call, and every voter across all nine counties who decided that government has to work for them. I will spend every day in Congress making sure it does.”
Thompson, 75, a Democrat from St. Helena, assumed office in 1999.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve the community where I was born, grew up, and still live today,” Thompson said on social media. “I look forward to continuing to serve our community through the end of my term and beyond.”
Campaign spending and priorities
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 carried his home base in Napa along with Sonoma and Yolo counties. Jones won in six other counties: Colusa, Lake, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yuba.
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 healthcare and an end to corporate money in politics.