Mike Thompson files for re-election

(Originally published in the 2/24/16 edition)

   Benicia’s congressman, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) filed for re-election in the 5th Congressional District Monday. 

   “Today, I filed my papers to run for re-election in our Congressional District,” Thompson said in a statement. “I am incredibly humbled to have a broadly diverse group of supporters including the endorsements of supervisors, mayors, city councilmembers, sheriffs, as well as business and community leaders from our district.”

   Thompson was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 as part of California’s 1st district. At the time, the district consisted of Napa, Del Norte, Mendocino, Humboldt and Lake counties as well as portions of Sonoma and Yolo counties. Following redistricting in 2013, Thompson now serves California’s 5th district, which includes all of Napa County and parts of Contra Costa, Lake, Sonoma and Solano counties, including Benicia. 

   In a statement, Thompson extolled his ability to work with community officials during times of need.

   "I have strong working relationships with local and county officials and community members,” he said. “Together, we secured federal funds to rebuild after the 2014 South Napa Earthquake and the 2015 Valley Fire in Lake County.  And, we acquired assistance to help revitalize Mare Island, invest in Sonoma County’s transportation infrastructure as well as complete the Napa flood project.”

   During his time in Congress, Thompson has been a proponent of environmental issues, a public health care option and gun control. He is also the co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, which protects the interests of the viticulture industry. 

   “As your representative, I will continue to protect Social Security and Medicare, keep fighting for comprehensive immigration reform and strengthen our national security,” Thompson said in a statement. “As a Vietnam combat veteran, I will continue to support our veterans and their families.”

   Thompson’s nomination papers included signatures from several Solano County officials, including Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis, County Supervisor Erin Hannigan and NAACP Vallejo President Jimmie Jackson. 

   A Republican challenger to Thompson has yet to declare.