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Portrait of Mike ThompsonPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

CA · Officeholder

Mike Thompson

DU.S. Representative · CA-4

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · California's 4th District

Biography

Mike Thompson is a Democrat who has represented the North Bay in the U.S. House since 1999. A Vietnam combat veteran and former winery worker and vineyard owner, he served in the California State Senate before winning his House seat, and he sits on the Ways and Means Committee. His official biography describes his legislative focus as lowering costs for families, gun violence prevention, clean energy and health care.[1][2]

Thompson was born and raised in St. Helena, California, in a working-class family; his official biography says he is the grandson of Italian immigrants. Ballotpedia gives his birth year as 1951.[1][2] His official biography says he dropped out of high school to enlist in the U.S. Army, and Ballotpedia lists his service as 1969 to 1972. According to the biography, he served in combat in the Vietnam War as a staff sergeant and platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart, and afterward trained others as an instructor at the Army's Airborne School.[1][2] After returning home he worked as a maintenance supervisor at Beringer Winery, then used the GI Bill to become the first in his family to earn a college degree. He attended Napa Valley Community College and graduated from California State University, Chico, later earning a master's degree in public administration there; Ballotpedia lists the degrees as 1982 and 1996.[1][2]

Thompson's earlier work included time as a professor and winery owner, according to Ballotpedia, while his official biography describes him as a small vineyard owner.[2][1] He served in the California State Senate from 1990 to 1998, representing the 2nd District and chairing the Budget Committee, and his office says he was the first Vietnam veteran elected to that chamber.[2][1] He was elected to the U.S. House in 1998 and took office in January 1999, first representing the 1st District and now the 4th.[3][2]

In Congress, Thompson serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax and a senior member of the Health Subcommittee.[1] After the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, he was appointed chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He co-founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Wine Caucus, co-chairs the bipartisan Military Veterans Caucus, and is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition; he has also received the Sierra Club's Edgar Wayburn Award.[1] According to his official biography, he is married to Janet Thompson, a family nurse practitioner, and they have two sons and three granddaughters.[1]

  1. 1.Biography · Office of Rep. Mike Thompson · 2026-10-21 Official record
  2. 2.Mike Thompson (California) · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Veteran California US House member Mike Thompson will face Democratic challenger in November · Associated Press (via WTOP) · 2026-06 News report

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

On the ballot

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 13 of 468 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (6), Climate & energy (5), Rights & public safety (3)

  • Main Street Act

    What it does: Main Street Capital Access Act or the Main Street Act This bill lessens and otherwise modifies banking regulations, including those regarding institution formation, supervision by federal financial regulators, and ban…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 56–154, Republicans 213–1

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

    What it does: Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 95–113, Republicans 122–90

    May 13, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Self) to H.R. 7567 — Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

    A yes vote adopted an amendment (Self) adding soda, defined as a carbonated beverage with over 1 gram of added sugar, sweetener or flavoring per serving, to the items SNAP benefits cannot buy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 29–183, Republicans 156–55

    Apr 30, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Bentz) to H.R. 7567 — Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

    A yes vote adopted an amendment (Bentz) revising the Renewable Fuel Standard’s “renewable biomass” definition to include forest-product mill residuals and trees, slash and storm debris from non-federal, National Forest System, public and tribal lands. (AI-written)

    What it does: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 37–176, Republicans 172–40

    Apr 30, 2026Official record ↗

  • Defending American Property Abroad Act

    What it does: Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 This bill authorizes the President to prohibit the entry of a vessel into the United States if the vessel has transited any U.S. port, harbor, or marine terminal that has…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 41–164, Republicans 205–0

    Mar 27, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE

Retire through Ownership Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 401–14·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9497 · U.S. HOUSE

Water Resources Development Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 415–9·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. HOUSE

Ratepayer Protection Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 417–3·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 213 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 214–208·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 10326 · U.S. HOUSE

PROOF Act

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 217–207·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9576 · U.S. HOUSE

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 352–72·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 5334 · U.S. HOUSE

An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes

NoVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments

A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 262–159·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.Con.Res. 93 · U.S. HOUSE

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

YesVOTED

Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 220–204·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 210 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 216–211·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9500 · U.S. HOUSE

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 408–17·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 634 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.