Eric Jones

Eric Jones is a Democrat and former venture capitalist, described by the Associated Press as 35 years old, who has not previously held public office. He was a partner at Dragoneer Investment Group before founding a family foundation with his wife and co-founding the American Dream Institute. He is challenging fellow Democrat Rep. Mike Thompson after finishing second in the June 2026 top-two primary.[1][2]

Jones says he grew up in rural Maine, where his mother worked as a nurse, and that he was the first in his family to go to college after seeking out scholarships.[3] He holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University, according to Ballotpedia.[1] He later moved to California, where he says he helped grow businesses focused on expanding access to health care.[3]

Jones worked as a partner at Dragoneer Investment Group, and the Associated Press describes him as a former venture capitalist.[1][2] After leaving the firm, he and his wife founded the Rachel and Eric Jones Foundation, which describes itself as "a community-rooted family foundation focused on creating lasting impact across Northern California."[1] He also co-founded the American Dream Institute, which describes itself as "a digital engagement engine built by and for the next generation of voices...founded to raise the voices of young Americans from the ground-up."[1] He says he is raising two children in Napa.[3]

Jones finished second in the June 2, 2026 top-two primary, advancing to a general election against Thompson that the Associated Press described as a generational contest between two Democrats; this is his first run for office.[2][1] His campaign website says he has signed a term-limit pledge, accepts no corporate PAC money, and supports a stock-trading ban and an end to gerrymandering.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.