Republican James Gallagher Sworn Into Congress, Filling California Seat Left by LaMalfa's Death
Rep. James Gallagher (R-Calif.) was sworn into Congress on Wednesday, filling the seat vacated by Rep. Doug LaMalfa's death in January and expanding the GOP's House majority. Gallagher, a former state assemblymember, won a special election on June 2 with over 60% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. The addition gives House Republicans a six-vote majority, though Gallagher faces a challenging general election in November due to recent redistricting that favors Democrats.
Republican James Gallagher was officially sworn into Congress on Wednesday afternoon, filling California's 1st Congressional District seat left vacant by Rep. Doug LaMalfa's death in January. Gallagher, a former California State Assembly GOP leader, won the June 2 special election with more than 60% of the vote, which was sufficient to avoid an August runoff under California law. His swearing-in expands the House GOP's majority to six votes, providing Republican leadership with additional breathing room after a tumultuous year marked by multiple congressional deaths and resignations. Gallagher, who earned endorsements from President Trump and congressional leadership, is also running for the full term beginning in January. However, he faces longer odds in the general election against Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire due to recent redistricting that transformed the district from one Trump would have won by 25 points into one Harris would have won by 12 points. Prior to his congressional election, Gallagher served in the California State Assembly since 2014 and on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, focusing on issues affecting small businesses, farms, and wildfire recovery.
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