DISTINGUISHING QUALIFICATIONS

By Mike Thompson

1) Connection to District 2) Bipartisan Support 3) Fiscal Expertise 4) Continuity of Service

Unlike my primary rivals in this race, I was born, reared and have lived all of my life in this district. My wife is a nurse in the same hospital where I was born. Our roots run deep here. Thatís why I traveled to every portion of this district last year and asked friends, neighbors, supporters and community leaders where I could best serve them after my final term expires in the Senate this year. Nearly 5,000 local residents signed a petition last spring urging me to run for Congress. More than 5,000 additional people signed my nomination papers this year. I didnít make this decision in a vacuum. It came after thoughtful counsel with many of the people who live here and who I have developed relationships with after a lifetime of experience here.

2) Bipartisan Support

No other candidate in this race has garnered the bipartisan support I have generated. More than 110 local elected officials have endorsed me, including Republican and Democratic supervisors, mayors, city councilmembers, school superintendents, sheriffs and district attorneys. I have been endorsed by organizations ranging from the conservative California Farm Bureau to the Democratic Party and most groups in between. I have a proven record of bipartisan leadership my opponents fail to demonstrate.

3) Fiscal Expertise

As chair of the Senate Budget Committee, I have balanced the budget of the worldís seventh largest economy over the past three years. I have firsthand experience in understanding the critical relationship between local, state and federal finances. I hope to use this expertise to obtain key committee positions in Congress that will directly benefit our district.

4) Continuity of Service

Our district has been ill-served by the disruption of representation caused by this Congressional seat changing hands three times in the last four elections. I believe our rural district can best be served by a representative who has the political capital and commitment to remain in office long enough to gain the power necessary to deliver for our area. Unlike my opponents, I have proven the ability to build governing coalitions of consensus and purpose needed to be an effective leader.