Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and challenger Eric Jones sparred over affordability, health care and data centers in a Wednesday night debate for Northern California’s sprawling 4th Congressional District.

Thompson continued to make his case that years in Congress give him the experience and influence needed to better the district. Thompson, 75, has held the seat since he was first elected in 1998.

Jones, a former venture capitalist and fellow Democrat, kept pushing forward a message of generational and pro-working class change in hopes of appealing to younger voters frustrated with both parties. Jones, 35, has out-raised his opponent thus far using much of his own money.

The two candidates are competing for a seat that spans parts of nine counties, stretching from Napa Valley through Yolo County and into the Sacramento Valley. The district is primarily blue despite some conservative territories swept into its boundaries under newly drawn congressional maps reshaped by Proposition 50.

Wednesday’s event, moderated by KCRA 3’s Ashley Zavala and Gulstan Dart, was one of three scheduled general election debates between the two Democrats. They will meet for final time Thursday night in Woodland for a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Yolo County.

Reducing cost of living

The debate began with a question on affordability, specifically asking the candidates what federal policy they would pursue to reduce cost of living.

Jones’ pointed to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and said the federal government must hold the utility company accountable with three federal agencies — the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Justice Department. He also called for a freeze on the PG&E rate hikes.

Thompson cited the American Affordability Act, a broad tax relief bill he introduced in December to make it easier for people to afford housing, energy and college. The legislation would strengthen the low-income housing tax credit, provide more tax help for first-time buyers and has provisions to encourage conversion of vacant offices and commercial buildings into housing.

Ending the Iran war

The candidates were then asked what they viewed as a successful outcome to the end of the Iran War.

Thompson, who has voted against the war in the House, reiterated his opposition to the war and noted that he voted against the war in Iraq in the early 2000s.

“War should be the last option ever put on the table,” said Thompson, who is a Vietnam veteran.

Jones answered similarly, while adding that politicians in Congress must not only oppose wars but also vote against unlimited military spending. He suggested working with other allies in the Middle East to develop alternative pathways.

“We cannot rely on the Strait of Hormuz,” said Jones, who is the son and grandson of military veterans. “It’s a tactical blunder.”

Lowering cost of healthcare

Both men were questioned on how to pursue lowering the cost of healthcare.

Jones cited his career experience “building up healthcare companies” and proposed a Medicare expansion to cover vision care, dental care, all forms of in-home nursing care and prescription generic drugs. These “preventative care measures” would pay for themselves and save the country money, Jones said.

Thompson’s answer focused on his past and current co-sponsorship of a Medicare for All bill. Such legislation has failed repeatedly in the last few decades.

When asked how this term would be different, Thompson said he would be chair of House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. He is currently the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means tax subcommittee.

Data centers

The final debate question focused on data centers and asked which side the candidates would take in a dispute between local communities and farmers concerned about the potential impact on agriculture.

Neither candidate directly answered the question. Instead, they both used their responses to criticize each other’s donors and only partially address data centers.

Thompson said communities should be involved in any process to build a data center.

“It needs to be locally controlled, and I think states need to have a voice in this,” Thompson said. “Also, the federal government cannot override the state. … We need to be particularly guarded that they don’t displace critical agricultural land.”

Jones, meanwhile, called for a ban on data centers in California, restriction of artificial intelligence for youth under 16 and an immediate tax on artificial intelligence companies.

“These are trillion-dollar corporations — trillion dollars — and not a single member of the establishment knows what to do,” Jones said. “How do we already get here and who’s protecting us?”

In his critique, Jones condemned Thompson for taking corporate donations from “Big Tech” companies like Amazon and Facebook. Jones has committed to accepting no corporate money in the campaign.

Thompson fired back by saying Jones was mostly funded by donors outside the district and people who “finance data centers.” Jones has received several individual donations from top executives of companies in Silicon Valley.

Rapid fire questions

The debate ended with a series of yes or no questions.

“Should police be required to get a warrant before using license plate reader data to track somebody?”

Jones: “Absolutely, and until we do that, we should ban all usage of Flock.”

Thompson: “Yes.”

“Should local law enforcement be able to help federal immigration agents carry out deportations?”

Thompson: “In certain areas.”

Jones: “With warrants, absolutely.”

“Should PG&E be broken up into smaller utilities?”

Jones: “Without a doubt, and you need someone who can actually pull that off.”

Thompson: “Absolutely.”

Would you support expanding the number of prescription drugs for which Medicare can negotiate?

Thompson: “Yes, I have. I’m the author of a bill to do just that.”

Jones: “Yes.”

Would you support a national wealth tax?

Jones: “Absolutely.”

Thompson: “Yes.”

Should there be an age limit on members of Congress?

Thompson: “I think the voters are pretty smart. They can decide when someone’s not able to do the job.”

Jones: “No.”

Do you believe all voters should be required to show government-issued photo ID to vote?

Jones: “We should confirm that someone’s a citizen when they register to vote.”

Thompson: “I think people who are legally able to vote should be able to vote. We shouldn’t put anything in place that’s going to make it harder for people to vote.”

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