Mike Thompson

In the 2024 House race for CA-4, Mike Thompson (D) defeated John Munn (R) 66.5% to 33.5%. Mike Thompson received 227,730 votes compared to 114,950 for John Munn, a dominant 32.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Mike Thompson benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for CA-4, Mike Thompson (D) defeated Matt Brock (R) 67.8% to 32.2%. Mike Thompson received 176,900 votes compared to 84,007 for Matt Brock, a dominant 35.6-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This race flipped the seat from Republican to Democrat. Tom McClintock (R) held the seat previously but either retired or lost in a primary. Party flips at the seat level are relatively rare and often signal shifting district dynamics. As a Democrat, Mike Thompson won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office). The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for CA-05, Mike Thompson (D) defeated Anthony Mills (n) 78.9% to 21.1%. Mike Thompson received 411,720 votes compared to 110,316 for Anthony Mills, a dominant 57.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Mike Thompson benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Mike Thompson benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Republican in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2016 House race for CA-05, Mike Thompson (D) defeated Carlos Santamaria (R) 76.9% to 23.1%. Mike Thompson received 224,526 votes compared to 67,565 for Carlos Santamaria, a dominant 53.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Mike Thompson benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for CA-05, Mike Thompson (D) defeated James Hinton (n) 75.7% to 24.3%. Mike Thompson received 129,613 votes compared to 41,535 for James Hinton, a dominant 51.5-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Mike Thompson benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Mike Thompson won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Obama was in office).

In the 2012 House race for CA-05, Mike Thompson (D) defeated Randy Loftin (R) 74.5% to 25.5%. Mike Thompson received 202,872 votes compared to 69,545 for Randy Loftin, a dominant 48.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.