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The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board endorsed Rep. Mike Thompson in California’s newly redrawn 4th Congressional District. The district, reshaped after Proposition 50 passed last November, now stretches across vineyards, farmland and small towns in Northern California.
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FULL STORY: Read The Bee’s endorsement for California’s 4th Congressional District | Opinion
Readers might ask why the editorial board picked a 75-year-old incumbent over a venture capitalist challenger — and what water, taxes and a reshaped district have to do with it.
Here are key takeaways:
The case for Thompson
Thompson leaned on experience as his central argument against both his opponent.
“Our democracy is on the line,” Thompson said. “It’s no time to back down, nor is it time for on-the-job training. I’m battle-tested. I’m experienced, and I’m effective.”
Thompson’s read on the redrawn district is that its varied geography masks shared priorities.
“If you’re in Placer County, Yuba, Sutter County, Napa, Sonoma or Lake County, your issues are the same: You want a good job, you want good air quality, you want good water quality, you want safe neighborhoods, you want opportunities for your family, for your kids.”
On tax policy, he pointed to a consistent voting record over his tenure.
“There’s been four major tax cuts since I’ve been in Congress … and I’ve voted against all four of those,” Thompson told the editorial board. “I have been a strong advocate for fair tax policy and to make sure that ultra‑rich folks and corporations pay their fair share, and I’ll continue to do that.”
And on water — a defining issue for any member representing this stretch of Northern California — Thompson offered a defense of his record that will resonate with Central Valley readers who follow these fights closely.
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“I’ve been very focused on water — the protection of our water, all the water north of the Delta,” he said. “It’s important for the fisheries, it’s important for agriculture, it’s important for migratory birds, and I’ve got a long record of protecting those water rights. With no water, no ag, that would be devastating to our area.”
Why not Eric Jones
The board does not dismiss Thompson’s challenger. Eric Jones, a venture capitalist, “brings energy and innovative ideas,” the board wrote, and his willingness to challenge the status quo is described as commendable.
The deciding factor is experience. In the board’s view, Jones “lacks the experience and temperament required to guide a new district that demands steady, thoughtful leadership — qualities forged through years of public service and tested in moments of crisis.” For voters weighing continuity against a fresh voice, the board firmly favors continuity.
The age question, addressed directly
“We would be remiss if we did not raise the issue of Thompson’s age,” the board wrote. “It would benefit his district and Northern California as a whole for Thompson to consider whether he would still be able to provide adequate leadership.”
For now, the board’s conclusion rests on experience: Thompson’s 27 years representing California’s values, in a moment when the editorial board judges that experience matters most.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
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