Rep. Mike Thompson is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. Born in St. Helena, California, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart. After returning home, he worked in agriculture and education while completing his college degree at California State University, Chico. He later served in the California State Senate, where he chaired the Budget Committee. He was elected to Congress in 1998 and has served since 1999, focusing on gun violence prevention, veterans’ services, healthcare, and agricultural policy.