Mike Thompson

Mike Thompson
Born	Charles Michael Thompson 24 1, 1951
Birthplace	St. Helena, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 4th congressional district
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 4th congressional district; Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
Education	California State University, Chico (BA, MPA)
Spouse(s)	Jan Thompson
Children	2
Awards	Purple Heart
Website	[Official website Official site]

Charles Michael Thompson (born January 24, 1951) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 4th congressional district since 1999. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson has represented a Northern California district that encompasses all of Lake and Napa counties and portions of Contra Costa, Solano, Yolo, and Sonoma counties. Before entering Congress, Thompson served in the California State Senate, representing two different districts between 1990 and 1998. A Vietnam War veteran who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and earned a Purple Heart, Thompson has built a lengthy legislative career focused on issues including gun violence prevention, environmental conservation, wine industry policy, and veterans' affairs. He chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and has been a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of moderate and conservative Democrats in the House. As of 2026, Thompson is one of the longest-serving members of California's congressional delegation, having won reelection consistently since first taking office.

Early Life

Charles Michael Thompson was born on January 24, 1951, in St. Helena, California, a small city in the Napa Valley wine region of Northern California. He grew up in the Napa Valley, an area whose agricultural economy and rural character would later shape many of his legislative priorities.

At the age of sixteen, Thompson enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1967 to 1973, a period that encompassed some of the most intense years of the Vietnam War. During his military service, Thompson was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, one of the first major ground combat units of the U.S. Army to be deployed to Vietnam. The 173rd Airborne participated in numerous significant combat operations during the war. Thompson rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant during his time in the Army.

Thompson was wounded in combat during his service in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart, the military decoration given to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded or killed while serving. His military experience as a combat veteran profoundly influenced his later political career, particularly his advocacy for veterans' issues and his positions on gun policy. After completing his military service in 1973, Thompson returned to California to pursue higher education.

Thompson continues to reside in St. Helena, the community where he was born and raised, maintaining a connection to the Napa Valley that has defined much of his personal and political identity.

Education

After returning from military service, Thompson attended Napa Valley College, a community college in the city of Napa. He subsequently transferred to California State University, Chico, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Thompson continued his studies at the same institution, earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, which provided the academic foundation for his career in public service and government.

Career

California State Senate (1990–1998)

Thompson began his career in elected office when he won a seat in the California State Senate in 1990. He initially represented the 4th Senate district, succeeding Jim Nielsen and serving from December 3, 1990, to May 20, 1993. Following redistricting, Thompson moved to the 2nd Senate district, where he served from May 20, 1993, to November 30, 1998, having succeeded Barry Keene. Thompson was in turn succeeded in the 2nd district by Wesley Chesbro.

During his tenure in the California State Senate, Thompson focused on issues relevant to his Northern California constituency, including agriculture, environmental protection, and rural economic development. His eight years in the state legislature provided him with significant legislative experience and established his political profile in the region ahead of his campaign for Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election to Congress

In 1998, Thompson ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to succeed Frank Riggs, who did not seek reelection, in what was then California's 1st congressional district. Thompson won the election and took office on January 3, 1999. He has since won reelection in every subsequent cycle. Following redistricting after the 2010 census, the district was renumbered as California's 5th congressional district beginning in 2013, and after the 2020 census, it was renumbered again as California's 4th congressional district beginning in 2023. Despite these numerical changes, the district has consistently covered portions of the northern San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding regions.

Gun Violence Prevention

Thompson chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, a position that has made him one of the most prominent Democratic voices on firearms policy in the U.S. Congress. The task force was established in the wake of mass shootings in the United States and has served as a focal point for Democratic legislative efforts related to gun control, background checks, and related measures. Thompson's role as chair has placed him at the center of numerous legislative debates on the issue.

Environmental and Conservation Work

Thompson has been active on environmental and conservation issues throughout his congressional tenure. He has received endorsements from the Sierra Club for his environmental record. His district includes significant natural areas and agricultural land, and Thompson has worked on legislation related to wilderness protection and land conservation.

Thompson was involved in debates over wilderness and public lands legislation, including measures related to the protection of wilderness areas in Northern California. Environmental policy has been a persistent theme in his legislative work, reflecting the ecological diversity and environmental sensitivities of his Northern California district.

In 2012, Thompson was involved in discussions regarding proposed changes to environmental law, with critics in his district expressing concerns about a House bill that they argued would weaken environmental protections established over the previous two decades.

Wine Industry Advocacy

Representing a district that includes the renowned Napa Valley wine region, Thompson has been a consistent advocate for the American wine industry in Congress. His district is home to numerous wineries and vineyards, and wine production is a major component of the local economy. Thompson has worked on trade, taxation, and regulatory issues affecting the wine industry.

In February 2026, Thompson responded to a Supreme Court ruling striking down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, commending the decision and announcing legislation to refund Americans affected by the tariffs. His statement reflected ongoing concerns about the impact of trade policy on agricultural producers and businesses in his district, including the wine industry.

Caucus Memberships

Thompson is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of Democratic members of Congress who identify as moderates or centrists on fiscal issues. He is also a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus, reflecting his support for arts and cultural programs. Additionally, Thompson has been involved with the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, which focuses on modernizing the nation's emergency communications infrastructure.

Legislative Votes

Thompson's voting record reflects his position as a Democrat representing a Northern California district. In 2010, he voted on the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, supporting the legislation. He has generally aligned with the Democratic caucus on major legislative votes throughout his tenure.

In 2003, Thompson participated in key votes in the House, including votes on authorizations and appropriations that marked significant policy debates during the 108th Congress. In 2006, he was recorded on various roll call votes in the House.

Community Investment

Thompson has directed federal funding to communities in his district throughout his tenure. In February 2026, he announced $4.35 million in federal funding for three community projects in Lake County, part of his ongoing efforts to secure investment for rural and underserved areas within his district.

2026 State of the Union Designated Survivor

In February 2026, Thompson was selected by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the Democratic Party's designated survivor for the State of the Union address delivered by President Donald Trump on February 25, 2026. The designated survivor is a member of the presidential line of succession who is kept at a secure, undisclosed location during the address as a precaution in the event of a catastrophic incident at the Capitol.

In his announcement, Thompson also used the occasion to criticize what he described as the president's "unlawful actions," and he announced Marine Corps veteran, small business owner, and Napa City Councilmember Bernie Narvaez as his guest for the State of the Union address.

Personal Life

Thompson resides in St. Helena, California, the community where he was born. He and his wife, Jan Thompson, have two children. Thompson also maintains a residence in Washington, D.C., as is common for members of Congress.

Thompson's identity as a Vietnam War veteran has been a defining aspect of both his personal life and his political career. His service with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the wounds he sustained in combat, for which he received the Purple Heart, have informed his legislative work on veterans' affairs and his positions on military and defense policy.

As a longtime resident of the Napa Valley, Thompson has deep connections to the agricultural and wine-producing communities of Northern California. His personal ties to the region are reflected in his consistent representation of Napa Valley and surrounding areas throughout his decades-long political career.

Recognition

Thompson's military service has been recognized with the Purple Heart, one of the oldest military decorations in the United States, awarded for wounds received in combat during the Vietnam War.

In his political career, Thompson has received endorsements from a number of organizations reflecting his legislative priorities. The Sierra Club has endorsed Thompson in recognition of his environmental record in Congress.

His selection as designated survivor for the 2026 State of the Union address by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries represented a notable acknowledgment of his seniority and standing within the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives.

Legacy

As of 2026, Mike Thompson has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 27 years, making him one of the longest-serving members of the California congressional delegation. His career has spanned multiple presidencies and significant shifts in American politics, and he has maintained his seat through substantial redistricting changes that renumbered his district three times.

Thompson's work as chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has positioned him as a central figure in the Democratic Party's legislative efforts on firearms policy, an issue that has grown in prominence over the course of his tenure. His advocacy on this issue has drawn from his personal experience as a combat veteran and gun owner, providing a perspective that has differentiated him from some other voices in the gun policy debate.

His representation of the Napa Valley and surrounding wine country has made him a leading voice for the American wine industry in Congress, and his work on trade policy, tariffs, and agricultural issues has had direct relevance to the economic interests of his constituents. Thompson's combination of military service, state legislative experience, and long tenure in Congress has established him as a fixture in Northern California politics and a notable figure in the modern history of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives.