Thompson Accuses Eric Jones Of False Campaign Claims

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Rep. Mike Thompson accused his congressional opponent in the upcoming Nov. 3 election of crossing a line with an ad involving former staff members.

Thompson said Eric Jones, his opponent in California's 4th Congressional District race, of making false claims and using unauthorized images of former staff members in his latest campaign ad.

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Thompson said Jones had "stooped to new lows" with an ad containing "false, unsubstantiated claims."

The ad features TJ Adams-Falconer, Thompson's former communications director, endorsing Jones, his Democratic opponent in California's 4th Congressional District race.

"I worked super closely with Mike Thompson. I was his right-hand person. Mike Thompson told me directly he plans to die in office," Adams-Falconer says in the ad that could be seen Monday morning.

The ad includes a photograph of Adams-Falconer standing beside Thompson and other staff members.

Seven former aides, including former legislative director Crozer Connor and deputy chief of staff Jennifer Goedke, disputed Adams-Falconer's claim.

They said Thompson does not intend to die in office and accused the campaign of using their photograph without their knowledge or permission.

The aides sent their protest letter Saturday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Thompson denied making the remark in a statement Sunday.

"Politics is divisive enough right now without people making up stuff and using imagery without people's permission," Thompson said. "It's everything that is wrong with politics."

Jones' campaign staff told the Chronicle that the former staffers' faces were blurred at their request.

Jones, a 35-year-old venture capitalist, is challenging Thompson, 75, who has served 14 terms in the House.

If elected, Jones has pledged that he will serve no more than 12 years.

Jones' campaign cites a different version of the advertisement but without a paper trail to back it up. That leaves voters with a he said-he said claim and one that Jones can't challenge with proof.

Jones pledge a 12-year limit

The district includes large areas of Napa and Sonoma counties including Sonoma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, and most of Santa Rosa.