A coalition of seven former aides to Representative Mike Thompson, a Democrat from St. Helena, is demanding the removal of a campaign ad from challenger Eric Jones. The ad alleges that Thompson, age 75, claimed he “plans to die in office.”
The former staffers, which include longtime legislative director Crozer Connor and deputy chief of staff Jennifer Goedke, sent a letter on Saturday contesting the claims made in the ad by Jones’ former communications director, TJ Adams-Falconer. In the ad, Adams-Falconer stated, “Mike Thompson told me directly he plans to die in office.”
This assertion suggests that Thompson has no intention of retiring from his elected role. However, the former aides labeled the remark as “unsubstantiated” and noted that Adams-Falconer worked in Thompson’s office for a short duration nearly ten years ago. Furthermore, they accused Jones of using a photograph of them without their consent.
In their correspondence with Jones’ campaign, the former staffers emphasized their collective experience, saying, “We have served Congressman Thompson for over thirty years, and none of us have ever heard the Congressman say anything of the kind.” They added that Thompson has expressed the opposite sentiment, stating that he does not intend to die in office.
Thompson himself denied making the remark, characterizing Jones’ advertisement as a new low in politics. “It’s everything that is wrong with politics. I will never stop standing up for all of us,” he stated on Sunday.
Jones, a 35-year-old venture capitalist aiming to unseat Thompson, who has served 14 terms in Congress representing California’s 4th Congressional District, defended his campaign. His staff asserted that “families across our districts are tired of a corrupt political system,” and accused long-serving politicians of prioritizing their positions over their constituents’ needs.
In response to the use of the aides’ photograph, Jones’ team clarified that they had blurred the faces upon request. The congressional district, which includes areas from Wine Country in the North Bay to portions of the Sierra Foothills, is currently in heated electoral contention.
This election contest is part of a broader dialogue concerning aging politicians in government. Concerns have been raised regarding the ages of several high-profile political figures, including President Joe Biden, age 83, and former President Donald Trump, age 80. Meanwhile, Thompson has portrayed himself as an active, engaged representative, claiming to spend significant time traveling between Washington, D.C., and his district to connect with voters.
