Mike Thompson and Eric Jones discuss varying issues at District 4 congressional candidate forum

Candidates shared top priorities in office and answered voter questions

By GIA LOOMIS — city@theaggie.org

On Oct. 8, District 4 congressional candidates Mike Thompson and Eric Jones answered questions at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Yolo County (LWV), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating and empowering voters. The forum took place at the Woodland Community and Senior Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. where it was also livestreamed on local television. The event was also moderated by LWV Yolo County member Komal Hak. 

The forum began with two-and-a-half-minute opening statements from each candidate, where they explained their platform and the mission behind their candidacy. Jones, a Democrat and newcomer to the congressional race, began by sharing his family background before discussing some primary priorities for his campaign, including combatting political corruption, standing up to corporate greed and lowering the local cost of living. 

“The American dream is dying,”Jones said. “Lobbyists control our democracy, and affordability is crushing the next generation. Political corruption and corporate greed have drowned out all opportunities for hope, and you see it all across America.”

The microphone was then passed to Thompson, a Democrat running for his 15th congressional reelection, who also began by discussing his background, particularly focusing on his history as a veteran and lifetime resident of District 4. He then moved to discuss his political priorities, which include fighting tariffs, combatting “forever wars”, working toward a single-payer healthcare system and providing emergency aid to farmers. 

“Right now families are being left behind,” Thompson said. “Working families are being left behind. Millionaires and billionaires — they’re doing just fine, corporations are doing fine. So I work daily to try and change that.”

Following the opening statements, LVW began posing questions to the candidates. First, the two candidates were asked to share their top three priorities for the next Congress and where they will focus their time and effort. Thompson answered first. 

“My top three priorities will be affordability, everything from gas to groceries to housing to utilities cost,” Thompson said. “I will focus on health care, the cost of health care, [...] I will fight for our democracy to make sure it is strong. The same democracy I fought in combat to protect. And I will fight against Forever Wars.” 

Jones answered next, sharing his top priorities for Congress.

“One, money out of politics,” Jones said. “We need to do this at the state and party level. [...] Two, we attack the tax on the working and middle class. Today, America's largest corporations only pay 12% tax, and it’s never been lower. [...] We need to take on big tech, we need to take on corporate America. It’s no longer just about fair taxation; it's about our future.”

The next question of the segment asked how Jones and Thompson plan to address the needs of District 4 residents considering the urban, suburban and rural diversity of the area. 

Jones discussed the importance of listening to all residents, citing his history of knocking on residents’ doors as well as offering one-on-one phone calls with any member of District 4. Thompson primarily referenced his experience of more than 20 years in Congress representing broad areas from Yolo County all the way to the Oregon border, along with noting his many endorsements across Northern California. 

At this point of the forum, the candidates began to disagree with each other’s evidence and statements, such as state funding for the district.

“By the data we are among the least well-funded districts in all of California when it comes to receiving federal funding and that's an intentional choice,” Jones said. 

Thompson refuted Jones’ argument with his own references.

“It is absolute nonsense to suggest that our district gets less than everyone else,” Thompson said. “As a matter of fact, the chair of the California [Democratic Congressional] Delegation Zoe Lofgren wrote a letter to all the press in this district pointing out that Mr. Jones is inaccurate in the data that he is using.”

The debate continued to the third question from LWV, which asked the candidates to discuss what legislation or policies they propose to support California farmers. Thompson began by discussing the recent disaster relief and funds he’s secured for farmers, mentioning legislation he recently introduced which aims to provide tax credits to family farmers. Jones explained how his approach focuses on improving water and farming infrastructure and providing more agriculture grants for farmers. 

The forum then opened to audience questions, which covered affordable housing, solvency of social security, violence in Gaza, West Bank and Ukraine, national debt, immigration reform and ICE. Finally, both candidates gave two-and-half-minute closing statements restating their platforms and missions discussed that evening. 

Forum attendee and District 4 resident, Isabelle Sabsovich, shared her thoughts on the forum. 

“This forum was a great opportunity to learn more about the [candidates],” Sabsovich said. “Hearing their takes and policies on issues relevant to my community will help me make a decision at the ballots in November. I was also surprised to hear the candidates discussing disagreements for parts of the forum.”

Thompson and Jones currently do not have any more forums or debates planned prior to the November election, but you can refer to their websites for more information on their candidacies. Check out the LWV Yolo County website for more information on upcoming events and information on registering to vote in the upcoming election. 

Written By: Gia Loomis — city@theaggie.org