DAVIS, Calif. — Democratic challenger Eric Jones held a narrow but growing lead over longtime Rep. Mike Thompson early Wednesday morning in California’s 4th Congressional District, following one of the most expensive and contentious congressional campaigns in the state.
According to Associated Press election returns updated at 2:03 a.m. Wednesday, Jones had received 61,828 votes, or 51.8%, compared with 57,609 votes, or 48.2%, for Thompson, with an estimated 41% of ballots counted.
The 4,219-vote advantage represented a significant early showing for Jones, a former venture capitalist and political newcomer seeking to unseat Thompson, a 14-term incumbent who has served in Congress since 1999.
The race remained too close to call, with a majority of estimated ballots still outstanding.
“California counts every vote, and that is exactly what should happen,” Jones said in an election night statement. “We are excited about where we stand tonight, and we are confident the outstanding ballots will move in our direction and deliver the change this district has been waiting for.”
The contest has attracted statewide attention because of its extraordinary spending, bitter advertising campaign and broader implications for generational change within the Democratic Party.
Jones poured approximately $14.8 million of his own money into the campaign, setting what Sonoma State University political scientist David McCuan described as a California record for self-funding in a congressional race, according to KQED.
Federal campaign finance figures through Oct. 14 showed Jones’ campaign had spent approximately $16.5 million, compared with $5.3 million by Thompson’s campaign. Outside political groups also spent millions supporting or opposing the candidates.
The campaign was marked by increasingly personal attacks, including a disputed advertisement involving allegations made by a former Thompson staff member. Thompson rejected the allegations, while seven former staff members publicly challenged the advertisement and demanded its removal, calling the claim unsubstantiated.
The controversy intensified an already contentious contest between two Democrats who share many policy positions but offered competing arguments about experience, accountability and the future direction of the party.
Thompson emphasized his congressional seniority, legislative relationships and record of securing federal assistance for the district, including support for agriculture, wildfire resilience and flood protection.
Jones campaigned on generational change, government accountability and a willingness to challenge established political leadership. He also sought support from Republican and independent voters in the newly-configured district.
Redistricting significantly altered the political geography of the 4th District, which now stretches from Napa and Sonoma counties into Davis, Woodland and more conservative agricultural communities in the Sacramento Valley.
The changing boundaries created an unusual electoral environment in which two Democrats competed for support across a district with substantially different political constituencies.
In the closing days of the campaign, Rep. Ro Khanna endorsed Jones, adding another prominent Democratic voice to the challenge against an established incumbent.
Two polls released by Jones’ campaign shortly before Election Day showed the challenger ahead, although the surveys were commissioned by his campaign.
At an election night gathering at Sudwerk Brewing in Davis, Jones supporters watched returns shift in his favor after Thompson initially held a narrow advantage.
Jones thanked his campaign volunteers and expressed confidence that the remaining ballots would sustain his lead.
“I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who gave everything to this campaign,” Jones said. “What you built is something none of us will ever forget, and Rachel and I are honored and humbled to have been part of it.”
He also addressed voters across the district’s nine counties.
“You made your voices heard tonight, and you helped set the direction of this district, this state, and this country,” Jones said. “We will have more to say when all the ballots are in.”
County election officials will continue processing outstanding ballots in the coming days, with the outcome dependent on votes still to be tabulated throughout the district.
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