Press Release
Posted:
Napa, CA -- Cheered on by over 350 constituents, Congressman Mike Thompson announced his re-election campaign at Oxbow Commons in Napa on Saturday. Thompson, a lifelong public servant and a combat veteran, reaffirmed his commitment to fight for California's Fourth District and protect our country.
"People are at a breaking point: Costs are skyrocketing, Republican leaders are putting the well-off over regular people, and our democracy is on the line," said Thompson. "But each time we've faced a challenge, our community has come back stronger than before. I’m not giving up the fight to continue delivering for our district and our country. With your help, I'll head back to Congress in the majority, stop Trump in his tracks, and get to work building a new system that helps hardworking people get ahead."
Since the day the President took office, Thompson has continued his fierce fight in the Congress, in the courts, and in our community to combat the Trump Administration's unlawful actions and deliver for our district. Thompson worked closely with the California Democratic delegation and state leaders to put Proposition 50 on the ballot to pass new district maps and encouraged the crowd to make their voices heard and stand up for democracy at the ballot box:
"People are understandably concerned and damn mad! Everywhere I go, I’m asked: 'What are you doing to fight for us?' and 'How can we help?' Here it is: Our governor, our democratic state legislators, and the California Congressional democrats put Prop 50 on the ballot to stop Trump from rigging the midterm elections. This will get back the five Democratic seats Texas is stealing. And how you can help is to make sure it passes!" continued Thompson.
In addition to Thompson, a range of community supporters spoke at the event, including U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman; Hana Jafari, UC Davis Alumna; Christopher Morisoli, veteran, volunteer firefighter and grape grower; Dr. Amy Herold, local healthcare leader and doctor; and Sonoma County Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo.
Christopher Morisoli, a fifth-generation farmer in Napa and a veteran and volunteer firefighter, shared how Thompson is uniquely qualified to deliver for our community.
"Thanks to [Mike's] work across the aisle, legislation like the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program exist and help farmers recover from fire and drought. In fact, when researchers here studying smoke damage in grapes were on the brink of layoffs, Mike stepped in to keep that vital program going. But where I connect most with Mike is as a veteran. I’ve seen him help fellow service members navigate a complicated Veterans Affairs system to get the benefits they earned. He’s fought for burn pit registries, toxic exposure protections, and veteran housing. And as a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient himself, Mike brings a level of trust with veterans that you just cannot fake. Mike is out there working tirelessly day in and day out. When we need Mike, he shows up for us," said Morisoli.
UC Davis alum Hana Jafari spoke about how Thompson works to address issues important to younger voters.
"I’ve seen Congressman Thompson set a strong example for what I want to see in a leader: someone who fights for the issues that define my generation’s future. Whether it’s education, housing, or preventing violence, Mike Thompson is on our side. I can’t think of a better representative to fight for this district," said Jafari.
"I’ve seen firsthand how devastating funding cuts to education and research can be, with some of my friends losing job offers when their labs shut down due to cuts. Mike has fought back, securing funding for neurological research, climate science, and agriculture to ensure a stronger future for all of us. Mike has also worked to expand affordable housing with tax credits and has worked to lower insurance costs through bipartisan action. And when it comes to our safety, he’s led the charge against gun violence as chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force," she continued.
Longtime Thompson staffer and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors' first Latina supervisor, Rebecca Hermosillo, shared how Thompson's mentorship led her to public office.
"I worked with [Mike] for almost 12 years. From him, I learned the meaning of being a true public servant and a skillful, laser-focused legislator. What I know for a fact is Mike is driven by his three top priorities: his district, his district, and his district," said Supervisor Hermosillo.
"I was with him every day during the 2017 fires, when he hugged fire survivors, or demanded more from FEMA or CAL OES. I was at disaster centers and incident command briefings at all hours of the day and night with him. He is a machine. That machine secured $99 million in disaster funding to help rebuild and $500 million in tax relief for wildfire survivors unfairly taxed on their disaster settlements. He gets in there and fights for constituents," she added.
Rep. Mike Thompson has earned the endorsement of mayors, supervisors, sheriffs, district attorneys, and other community leaders from every county in the Fourth Congressional district. See the full list here.