Rep. Thomas Faces Under-Funded Foe

Democrat Michael A. Thomas, a businessman from Grover City, is challenging longtime incumbent Republican Rep. William (Bill) M. Thomas of Bakersfield in the sprawling 20th Congressional District.

Also on the ballot is Libertarian candidate William H. Dilbeck, an electrician from Atascadero.

The district includes the Lancaster area in Los Angeles County, and covers all of San Luis Obispo, Kern and Inyo counties. Of the 333,018 voters, 48.7% are Republicans and 41% are Democrats. Agribusiness and the aerospace industry are major forces in the district.

Bill Thomas, who is seeking his seventh term, has raised $204,536 during the campaign, spent $170,848 and has $206,383 left.

Michael Thomas has raised less than $2,000 and is $1,305 in debt. He has $15 on hand.

The incumbent launched his political career from a job teaching American government at a Bakersfield community college. In the primary, he handily fought back a challenge from Rod Gregory, a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy.

The congressman serves on the House Budget and Ways and Means committees and is a leader of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Dilbeck, who has not campaigned or raised contributions, was asked to enter the race by the state’s Libertarian chairman. Less than 1% of the voters are independents or belong to minor parties such as the Libertarian party.

Lita Reid, a Democrat who lost to Thomas in 1988, is running a write-in campaign for the seat. Reid, who lives in Ridgecrest, received 27% of the vote in the 1988 race.