James GallagherIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 1
James Gallagher is a Republican attorney, farmer, and politician. He now represents California's 1st District in the U.S. House. He was born March 4, 1981, in Yuba City, California. He graduated from East Nicolaus High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Berkeley. He earned a JD from UC Davis. He has practiced law since 2007. He is a partner in his family's farm in Sutter County. The farm grows rice and walnuts and spans generations. He served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2014. Voters then sent him to the state Assembly's 3rd District in 2014. He served there until 2026. He was Assembly Republican Minority Leader from 2022 to 2025. Longtime Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa died in 2026. Gallagher then entered the race for the 1st District. He won the special election outright on June 2, 2026. He took 62.1% of the vote (123,551 votes) in the certified results, so no runoff was needed. He was sworn in on June 10, 2026, to finish LaMalfa's term. He is also a candidate in the regular primary and general election cycle. That cycle is held at the same time. In it, he seeks the next full term. He advanced from the June 2026 primary under newly redrawn district lines. He faces Democrat Mike McGuire on November 3, 2026. McGuire is a former Democratic leader of the California State Senate. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party of California have endorsed Gallagher. Born March 4, 1981. Home: Sutter County / Yuba City area, California. Occupation: attorney. Also a partner in the family rice and walnut farm. Sitting U.S. Representative for CA-1. Prior office: incumbent since June 10, 2026. He won the special election to fill the rest of Doug LaMalfa's term. Earlier: California State Assembly, District 3, 2014 to 2026. Assembly Minority Leader, 2022 to 2025. Sutter County Board of Supervisors, 2008 to 2014.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports cutting business taxes and regulations to create jobs and support small businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Supports lowering taxes and fees to make life more affordable for constituents.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports continuing strict federal border security enforcement policies.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Supports enacting tougher criminal laws to increase community safety.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports expanding domestic energy production to lower prices, alongside land/water management paired with conservation.
Source → - Veterans' Affairs
Supports strengthening VA benefits and expanding veterans' access to job training and education.
Source →
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