{"id":296943,"date":"2026-05-02T19:31:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T19:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296943\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T19:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T19:31:20","slug":"read-the-bees-endorsement-for-californias-4th-congressional-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296943\/","title":{"rendered":"Read The Bee\u2019s endorsement for California\u2019s 4th Congressional District"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s 4th Congressional District<\/a> \u2014 newly drawn after Proposition 50 passed last November \u2014 brings a compelling dynamic to California\u2019s evolving congressional landscape.<\/p>\n

The district now encompasses a remarkable range of geography, from rolling hills and lush vineyards to bustling towns and agricultural heartlands, representing a microcosm of the state\u2019s challenges and its promises.<\/p>\n

From the celebrated wineries of Napa to the peach orchards of Yuba and Sutter counties, this district demands a leader who unites every community and ensures that all voices are valued \u2014 farmers, small business owners, teachers, healthcare workers and families. The person must possess not only experience, but also a deep understanding of the everyday realities facing the people who live in the 4th District.<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board believes Mike Thompson\u2019s leadership has proven to be effective over the years. He has our endorsement.<\/p>\n

His mission remains clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy priorities are pretty straightforward: Stop Trump\u2019s attack on our democracy, fix the chaos that he\u2019s created, and build a better system so hard-working people can get ahead and so that everyone has the same opportunities I had when I was growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Thompson, a Democrat from St. Helena, true leadership begins with understanding the common threads that unite the district.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur democracy is on the line. It\u2019s no time to back down, nor is it time for on-the-job training. I\u2019m battle-tested. I\u2019m experienced, and I\u2019m effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

That mindset has been the backbone of Thompson\u2019s three-decade career as a congressman.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Thompson champions policies that uplift working families over the interests of billionaires.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been four major tax cuts since I\u2019ve been in Congress \u2026 and I\u2019ve voted against all four of those,\u201d Thompson told our editorial board. \u201cI have been a strong advocate for fair tax policy and to make sure that ultra\u2011rich folks and corporations pay their fair share, and I\u2019ll continue to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson recognizes the district\u2019s agricultural heart and the importance of strong advocacy for farmers, especially on critical issues like water.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been very focused on water \u2013 the protection of our water, all the water north of Delta,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cIt\u2019s important for the fisheries, it\u2019s important for agriculture, it\u2019s important for migratory birds, and I\u2019ve got a long record of protecting those water rights. With no water, no ag, that would be devastating to our area.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson\u2019s Democratic opponent, venture capitalist Eric Jones, brings energy and innovative ideas. His vision for the district is ambitious, and his willingness to challenge the status quo is commendable. However, Jones lacks the experience and temperament required to guide a new district that demands steady, thoughtful leadership \u2014 qualities forged through years of public service and tested in moments of crisis.<\/p>\n

We would be remiss if we did not raise the issue of Thompson\u2019s age. He is 75 and, if he\u2019s elected and decides to run again, he will be 77. At that point, 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.<\/p>\n

For the present, however, we believe Thompson\u2019s 27 years of experience representing California\u2019s values make him the right leader for the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"California\u2019s 4th Congressional District \u2014 newly drawn after Proposition 50 passed last November \u2014 brings a compelling dynamic…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":296944,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,9,8,32546,125917],"class_list":["post-296943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-california","tag-california","tag-california-headlines","tag-california-news","tag-mike-thompson","tag-the-district"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}