Eric Jones Spends $11.8 Million to Challenge Mike Thompson

Democratic challenger Eric Jones has contributed more than $10 million of his own funds to his campaign to unseat incumbent Representative Mike Thompson in California's 4th Congressional District. Federal Election Commission filings show Jones added $4.7 million in the third quarter, the highest self-financing total for any congressional candidate in California history.

Jones, a former financier, has spent $11.8 million to date, outspending Thompson's $4.9 million. He argues that significant resources are required to challenge corporate lobbyists and special interests, and he has vowed to reject PAC money. Thompson, who has served in Congress since 1999, has raised approximately $5.2 million through a combination of corporate PACs and small-check donors.

Representative Thompson's campaign has accused Jones of attempting to buy the seat using profits earned during his tenure at Dragoneer Investment Group. Despite being outspent, Thompson maintains a higher cash-on-hand balance of $1.5 million compared to $1.2 million for Jones as they approach the November election.