California Democrat gains backing of former GOP opponent in race for Congress

Mathew Miranda, The Sacramento Bee on Aug 17, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democrat Eric Jones has won the endorsement of the Republican he recently defeated, a likely boost in his uphill bid to unseat an incumbent Democratic congressman.

Raymond Riehle announced Monday he would be supporting Jones in the general election for California’s 4th Congressional District. Jones edged out Riehle in the June primary and advanced to face Rep. Mike Thompson, who was first elected to Congress in 1998.

As part of his support, Riehle said he will be spearheading an organization — Californians Against the Democratic Establishment — to conduct outreach to Republican and independent voters. Republicans are nearly 30% of the registered voters in the district.

“Now we face a clear choice: Sit out the race because both candidates are Democrats, or vote for the Democrat who most shares our values and will stand up to the corrupt Democratic establishment in Sacramento and Washington,” Riehle said in a written statement.

Jones told The Sacramento Bee that he and Riehle met at a debate in May at UC Davis. The two candidates continued chatting in the weeks that followed and eventually met for dinner at Jones’ home.

They have since come to share understandings on issues like investment in local infrastructure, fiscal discipline and water. Jones and Riehle also signed a joint pledge to oppose gerrymandering.

“If he can help me accomplish those objectives, and we can work on those ideas together, it’s our duty to,” Jones said.

The newly redrawn 4th Congressional District stretches from the Napa Valley through Yolo County and into the Sacramento Valley, encompassing parts of nine counties. The district remains primarily blue despite some conservative territories — Sutter, Yuba and Colusa counties — swept into its boundaries.

Jones narrowly beat out Riehle in the primary with 22.2% of the vote compared to 20.7%. Thompson led with 41% of the vote. The top two candidates, regardless of party, advance in California’s primary system.

If he wins, Jones said Riehle has promised to run against him again in 2028. The two candidates plan to have a debate in all nine counties of the district.

“He believes that getting that civic duty and free speech and people knowing the choices in front of them, and being educated, is extremely important, and that we’ve lost in this country,” Jones said.

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