Thompson And Jones Take On Data-Center Growth In Debate: Report

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — A debate between Rep. Mike Thompson and challenger Eric Jones turned to data centers and the future of agriculture as the candidates confronted the technology's growing demands on farmland, water, and electricity.

Jones called for a national moratorium on data centers during a candidate forum in Marysville, while Thompson warned that the facilities could displace farms, consume water, and create few jobs.

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The two candidates debated at a forum hosted by the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau at the Yuba County Government Center in Marysville.

Thompson, who first won election to Congress in 1998, is seeking his 14th term in a vastly different district that includes areas previously represented by the late U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican.

Proposition 50 transferred parts of LaMalfa's former constituency in California's 1st Congressional District—most notably Colusa and Sutter counties and part of Yuba County—into the newly drawn 4th District that Thompson and Jones are contesting.

Although Thompson is an incumbent, both candidates are competing to represent a newly drawn California district that includes farming communities confronting water, flood protection, trade, and data-center development.

About 250 farmers, growers, agriculture leaders, and community members attended the 45-minute forum, according to reports and a recording of the debate.

The candidates answered questions about agriculture, water, trade, health care, and other issues affecting California's 4th Congressional District, according to reports and the recording.

"Let me make a simple statement: no more data centers in California," Jones said before calling for a national moratorium.

He argued that lawmakers must understand the technology before deciding where and how companies can build the facilities.

"You need people in Congress who actually know what these things are," Jones said. "If you don't know the difference between hamburgers and a GPU, you should not be in the room for these conversations."

Jones said senior members of both parties have made irresponsible statements about technology that could shape the future of the planet, the county, and children's lives.

Thompson said local communities should take the lead but urged officials to slow data-center development.

"The data center craze has the potential to displace agriculture, use all of our water and generate very few jobs," Thompson said. "So we need to be very, very careful with this and I think that we really need to pump the brakes on this overzealous effort to roll out our data centers in all of our communities."

The candidates also presented competing cases for representing the newly drawn district.

Jones, a Napa Valley resident, business investor, and political newcomer, stressed his independence from party leaders and establishment endorsements.

"I am untied. I'm untethered. I have not a single Democratic establishment endorsement," Jones said. "I don't care about the aisle. Let's get in the middle and get to work."

Jones argued that voters continue sending the same people to Washington and Sacramento despite their frustration with government.

Thompson, a vineyard owner with a farm north of Napa known for sauvignon grapes, pointed to his congressional record and described himself as a "Blue Dog Democrat who gets things done."

"I believe I'm the best person for this job," Thompson said. "I'm field tested, I'm battle tested, I have the best committee assignment on Capitol Hill so I can deliver for our district."

Thompson serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, including its health and tax subcommittees, according to his campaign. The committee has jurisdiction over health care, taxes, trade, Social Security, and income security.

"I am committed to agriculture," Thompson said. "I always have been."

He blamed tariffs for some of the problems confronting farmers and cited $9 million in relief for peach growers affected by a cannery closure. He also pledged to continue pursuing federal money for flood-control projects, according to reports.

Jones invoked LaMalfa to argue that the district needs a representative who will pursue similar assignments on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy and Commerce committees.

Thompson countered that his senior position on Ways and Means gives him influence over taxes, trade, and health policy affecting agriculture. He also emphasized that he worked with LaMalfa on wildfire relief and Sites Reservoir funding.

Jones said he studied LaMalfa's committee work and that conversations with Assemblymember James Gallagher helped him understand LaMalfa's approach, according to reports