Republican James Gallagher Sworn Into Congress, Filling California Seat Left by LaMalfa's Death
Republican James Gallagher was sworn into Congress on Wednesday, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa in California's 1st Congressional District. Gallagher, a former state Assembly GOP leader backed by President Trump, won the June 2 special primary with over 60 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff. His addition brings the effective House Republican majority to seven, providing Speaker Mike Johnson slightly more room to maneuver on close votes.
James Gallagher (R-Calif.) took the oath of office Wednesday afternoon, becoming the newest member of the House of Representatives after winning a special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died in January. Gallagher, a former state Assembly Republican leader from Chico who also holds a law degree and is a partner in a family rice farm, ran with endorsements from President Trump and congressional leadership, capturing more than 60 percent of the vote in the June 2 special primary. His swearing-in brings the House Republican total to 218, with the effective majority standing at seven when including independent Rep. Kevin Kiley, who caucuses with Republicans. Gallagher pledged in a floor speech to carry on LaMalfa's advocacy for rural Californians, and the late lawmaker's wife, Jill LaMalfa, was present for the ceremony. While Gallagher will serve out the remainder of LaMalfa's term, he faces a significantly more competitive race for the full term in November: redistricting approved by California voters has reshaped the district from one Donald Trump carried by 25 points in 2024 into one that Kamala Harris would have won by 12 points, according to Inside Elections. His general election opponent will be Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire.
What different sources said
Related
Workers Begin Removing Trump's Name from Kennedy Center Facade After Court-Ordered Deadline
Workers started stripping President Trump's name from the exterior of the Kennedy Center in Washington overnight Friday into Saturday, hours past a court-ordered deadline of 11:59 p.m. Friday. The delay was attributed to nearby thunderstorms, and the Kennedy Center's board sought a 12-hour extension, which U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had already denied after rejecting the board's last-minute attempt to halt the order. The removal marks a significant legal rebuke of the Trump administration's effort to rename the historic performing arts venue, with a court ruling that only Congress has the authority to change the Kennedy Center's name.
Hasan Piker Campaigns for DSA-Backed NYC Candidates, Sparking Debate Over Democratic Party Direction
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker rallied in Brooklyn for two Democratic Socialist of America-endorsed congressional candidates ahead of New York's June 23 primary, declaring the country is 'closer than ever' to socialism. The appearances come amid a broader debate within the Democratic Party over whether to embrace or distance itself from Piker, whose pro-Palestinian views and provocative statements have made him a polarizing figure. The controversy highlights a growing tension between the party's centrist establishment and its increasingly left-leaning base, particularly on foreign policy.
Fire Rescue Victoria Has Missed Emergency Response Targets Every Year Since 2020, With Outer Suburbs Worst Affected
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) has failed to meet its target of responding to 90 per cent of structural fires within seven minutes and 42 seconds in every year since its formation in 2020, with outer suburban areas recording the worst performance. The shortfall has come into sharp focus following the death of three-year-old Jordan Dashwood in a Werribee house fire this month, where the nearest FRV truck was committed to another incident and the first responders arrived well outside the benchmark time. The findings raise serious questions about whether the 2020 fire services restructure has been adequately resourced to protect Melbourne's rapidly growing outer suburbs.