Political newcomer Eric Jones challenges incumbent Mike Thompson to debates in California's 4th District

Evelyn Ronan, The Sacramento Bee on Jul 22, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Jones, a venture capitalist and self-proclaimed anti-establishment Democrat, has invited incumbent Congressman Mike Thompson to a series of nine debates, one in each county of California's newly drawn up 4th Congressional District.

“This district is nearly 50% brand new. They deserve to hear from their representatives,” said Jones. “We need dialogue.”

Jones, in the first major race of his political career, faces a staunch challenge in Thompson, who has held the seat for 30 years and glided into the general election with almost 41% of the vote.

Jones said the debate is an opportunity for both candidates to level with their new electorate after redistricting. “I want voters to hear exactly where I stand, and I want Congressman Thompson to tell voters exactly where he stands.”

Jones and Thompson will have to endear themselves to conservative and moderate wine country voters, given that 36.8% of primary votes went to Republican or independent candidates, and Jones beat his Republican challenger Ray Riehle by a slim two percentage points.

Jones’ platform revolves around left-leaning proposals like Medicare for all, tax refunds for working-class Californians, and disallowing members of Congress from trading stocks, and he rejects most monikers that have been placed on him and his campaign.

“I am not a conventional candidate; I’m not a career politician,” Jones said of being sorted into the progressive candidate bucket, “this is not about a progressive challenger versus a moderate challenger.”

Jones’ campaign also features a heavy focus on political corruption and campaign financing. “There are 20 lobbyists for every one member of Congress in D.C.,” Jones said. “Representatives now go to D.C., and Sacramento in order to get rich.”

Jones’ campaign has publicly refused corporate PAC money and donations from federal lobbyists.

Many of Jones’ policy goals, like imposing congressional term limits, are ambitious proposals that would require sweeping majorities to pass, which Jones anticipates debating.

“Voters are tired of being told by representatives that it just can’t be done.” “If we’ve been in office too long, where it doesn’t seem like that’s possible anymore, maybe it’s time to turn the reins over to someone else.”

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