California State Assemblymember James Gallagher (R) won a special election on Tuesday to fill the vacant House seat left by the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R), boosting the Republican majority in the House. Gallagher secured 62.4% of the vote, avoiding a runoff, while State Sen. Mike McGuire (D) and Democrat Audrey Denney each received around 18%. The victory also advanced Gallagher to the general election for the newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, where he will face McGuire in November.
Gallagher’s victory solidifies the GOP’s narrow House majority, bringing their total to 218 seats compared to 212 for Democrats, with four vacancies and one independent caucusing with Republicans. The district, redrawn under California’s Proposition 50, is now considered solidly blue by the Cook Political Report, incorporating more liberal areas like Santa Rosa and parts of Sonoma County.
Gallagher’s campaign emphasized opposition to Democratic policies, particularly those of Gov. Gavin Newsom and McGuire, whom he accused of making California unaffordable and unsafe. In a statement, Gallagher claimed voters rejected McGuire’s influence on redistricting, calling the new district lines a product of 'backroom deals.' McGuire, however, framed the election as a victory for grassroots democracy, stating that 'neighbors showed up' to support his campaign.
The November race will test Gallagher’s ability to hold the seat in a district that Kamala Harris would have carried by double digits in 2024. Gallagher’s primary win also sets up a rematch with McGuire, who lost to LaMalfa in 2022. The outcome could hinge on whether Gallagher can appeal to the newly added Democratic-leaning voters.