The Napa Chamber of Commerce announced today that the organization has endorsed current Assembly member Bill Dodd for the 3rd District State Senate race, as well as Mike Thompson, for re-election as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

This announcement comes after an extensive process and discussion involving the organization's Candidate Endorsement Committee, led by Committee Chair Paul Hicks, NCC Board Executive Committee, and NCC Board of Directors, all of whom unanimously voted in favor of and requested to immediately proceed with the endorsement announcement.

 

"Although this procedure represents a departure from our typical candidate endorsement process, it speaks volumes for the manner in which we want to extend our support for these two candidates," said NCC Board Chair Kevin Teague. "It also strongly represents the collaborative work history between the respective staff members of the Chamber, Bill Dodd and Congressman Mike Thompson."   

Dodd currently serves District 4 in the California State Assembly. Prior to joining the Assembly, Bill served on the Napa County Board of Supervisors for 14 years. At various stages of his career as a County Supervisor he also found time to serve as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Honorary Commander for the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Chair of the Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County, Chair of the Napa County League of Governments, Chair of the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, and Chair of the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

"I've worked extensively with the Napa Chamber for years to solve issues facing small businesses in our region and I'm grateful for their support," said Dodd, who is a graduate of Justin-Siena High School and California State University, Chico.

Dodd was once a local small business owner/operator, and understands the importance of engaging, connecting and collaborating with the Napa County business community to help provide their voice in the discussions involving issues and policies affecting the future of Napa County.

In 2014 he was recognized as the NCC Citizen of the Year for raising over $3M for local charities and establishing the Wolfe Center, a state-of-the-art [youth] drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Dodd was founding director of the Napa County Children's Health Initiative that same year.

Mike Thompson has represented California's 5th Congressional District since being elected to do so in 1998. His district includes all of Napa and parts of Contra Costa, Lake, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is also a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Prior to serving in Congress, he represented California's 2nd District in the California State Senate and chaired the Budget Committee. He's strongly recognized as a moderate Democrat with a great reputation for bipartisan problem solving.

He's the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Wine Caucus (consists of 150 U.S. Senators and House members), member and former co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Thompson is a St. Helena resident and small vineyard owner who once served as the maintenance supervisor at Beringer. He also taught Public Administration and State Government at San Francisco State University and California State University, Chico.

"I've worked with the Napa Chamber of Commerce throughout my entire time in elected office," said Thompson. "Over the years we've partnered on many projects of importance to our community. I'm honored to receive the Chamber's endorsement and I look forward to continuing working together for the next two years."

Thompson was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate, after serving in combat with the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was an instructor at the Army's Airborne School, and recipient of the Purple Heart Badge of Honor.

"Both Bill [Dodd] and Mike [Thompson] have extensive history of working with the [Napa] Chamber to make Napa County a better place to live, work and play," said NCC President/CEO Travis Stanley. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that continued collaboration."