California 4th District
Mike Thompson (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Thompson
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 45 of 121 votes and bills.
Raised $5,482,944 since January 2025: 54% from people, 45% from PACs and other committees, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Eric Jones
Democrat · former venture capitalist and Napa resident
DLiberty Score D66 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Jones has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Jones.
Raised $18,058,057 since January 2025: 82% the candidate’s own money, 18% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Eric Jones. Eric Jones: D, 66 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Mike Thompson: F, 33 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Eric Jones, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Jones, so the grade above comes from this list: what Jones has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Lists building a nonprofit that works to protect free speech online among his accomplishments.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Founding a group that defends free speech online is the 'with' side of the free speech measure.
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Says he supports Medicare for All, to be fully paid for.
“Yes. Eric Jones supports Medicare for All, and he believes every American deserves healthcare.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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Says he wants to cut taxes for working Americans by ending federal income tax on the first $150,000 earned.
“Eric Jones wants to cut taxes for working Americans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named income tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign Answers page says he believes strongly in the separation of church and state.
“He believes strongly in the separation of church and state.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping religion out of government law is with liberty on conscience.
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Says he would freeze the Pentagon's budget growth until it passes an audit.
“freeze the Pentagon’s budget growth until it passes an audit”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A freeze on growth is neither a cut nor an increase, so it does not settle the defense test.
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Says he would create an earned path to legal status for people who have been in the country for years, working and paying taxes.
“create an earned path to legal status for people who have been here for years, working and paying taxes”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to legal status for people here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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Says he would secure the border, with a focus on fentanyl, human trafficking and organised smuggling, and remove violent criminals.
“Secure the border, with a hard focus on fentanyl, human trafficking, and organized smuggling.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and removing criminals is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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California 4th District
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