Three Objectives that Motivate My Campaign

By Mike Thompson

1) Effective Problem Solving 2) Replace Political Showmanship with Bipartisan Leadership 3) Fiscal Relationship Between Local, State and Federal Governments

1) Effective Problem Solving

I am running for Congress so that I can continue serving our diverse, seven- county district as an accessible, bipartisan problem-solver who not only understands the unique issues facing our local communities but also has the energy and legislative skills to solve them.

The majority of any legislator's day is not consumed with critical votes that will determine national security. Itís spent solving a myriad of local problems brought to him or her by constituents and local governments.

I've prided myself on the standard my office has set over the past seven years in bringing diverse groups together to forge solutions for the greater good of the community. I enjoy bending ears, forging alliances and getting things done for our North Coast and North Bay. I want to continue that work representing our area in Congress.

2) Replace Political Showmanship with Bipartisan Leadership

Part of my motivation for seeking this seat stems from a frustration with a current Congress that has chosen to invest more of its time squabbling over meaningless motions, symbolic resolutions and empty slogans rather than addressing the pressing issues that impact daily lives. Instead of addressing family concerns over taking care of ill parents, affording college tuition or simply having enough money to retire, this Congress appears more preoccupied with political showmanship and trivial debate.

I want to use my bipartisan record of working with both sides of the aisle to refocus national debate away from ìmade-for-televisionî priorities and toward real-life problem-solving that will protect retirement savings, enhance job security and set national standards to better educate our children.

3) Fiscal Relationship Between Local, State and Federal Governments

Itís not just important for our federal representatives to know how local, state and federal governments work. They need to know how to make them work together. Having represented seven counties and 27 cities over the last seven years, I have firsthand experience in forging the constructive partnership needed between all three levels to make the system work for our area.