Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher has launched a bid to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa last week, setting up a high-profile special election in one of California’s most reliably conservative districts.
Gallagher, who represents much of Butte County and surrounding areas in the state Assembly, is seeking to succeed LaMalfa in California’s 1st Congressional District, a sprawling rural seat that stretches from the Sacramento Valley through the northern Sierra and up to the Oregon border. The district has long been anchored by agricultural communities, water infrastructure debates, forest management concerns and a strong conservative voting base.
Serving the remainder of LaMalfa’s term, Gallagher may hold the seat for only a few months, since it stands to flip in the November midterms under a new district map redrawn under Proposition 50 to favor Democrats. Gallagher has not said he plans to run in the midterm election as well.
In announcing his campaign, Gallagher framed his candidacy as a continuation of LaMalfa’s approach, emphasizing water supply reliability, wildfire prevention, public safety and opposition to what he described as regulatory overreach from Sacramento and Washington.
“Doug LaMalfa was my mentor, friend and a representative of the People in the truest sense of the word,” Gallagher said in a campaign statement. “His death was a shock to all of us and leaves a great void of leadership here in the North State.”
Gallagher has been one of the Legislature’s most vocal Republican critics of California’s environmental regulations, cap-and-trade program and labor mandates affecting farms, ranches and timber operations.
His entry immediately makes him one of the most prominent contenders for the seat. As Assembly Republican leader, he has built statewide name recognition and fundraising networks, while maintaining close ties to agricultural groups, county governments and rural business interests.
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The special election will take place under California’s top-two primary system, meaning all candidates will appear on the same ballot regardless of party. Given the district’s partisan makeup, the eventual winner is widely expected to be a Republican, but the field could draw multiple GOP candidates.
Gallagher is terming out of the Legislature this year, and the contest to replace him has already begun, with several Republican hopefuls.
LaMalfa was one of Congress’ most outspoken advocates for expanded water storage, streamlined forest management and limits on federal environmental reviews. Gallagher has signaled he intends to maintain that focus, arguing that Northern California’s economy depends on reliable water supplies, active forest management and regulatory certainty for producers.
The timing of the special election, expected to be set by Gov. Gavin Newsom by Jan. 20, will shape how quickly the district regains representation in Washington.
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