University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies
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Who will win the CA-01 special election?
$30.4K
JUN 3, 2026
Candidate standings
Live market pricing for the leading candidates in this election.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age60 years old (Sep 20, 1965)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationBig Valley High School (Bieber, California)
Notable personal detailsBrian Dwain Dahle is an American politician and farmer who served in the California State Senate representing the 1st Senate District (2019–2024) after previously serving in the California State Assembly (2012–2019). Before state office, he served on the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for 16 years. He is a multigenerational farmer and small business owner and is married to California State Senator Megan Dahle; they have three children.
SourcesShowHide
archive.senate.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgsr01.senate.ca.govbriandahle.comwikidata.orgsenate.ca.govassembly.ca.govleginfo.ca.govjoincalifornia.comcalmatters.orgsrc.senate.ca.govucmlegsim.comcapitoldaybook.comontheissues.orgdahlelaw.comtransparencyusa.orgeverything.explained.todaybriandehler.comsdmg.senate.ca.govelections.cdn.sos.ca.govlassennews.comkpbs.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgreddingtoday.comsandiegouniontribune.comreproductivefreedomforall.organewscafe.comkcra.comijpr.orglatimes.comenvirovoters.orgsierrasun.comscorecard.ecovote.orgcfbf.comaxios.comchicoer.compolitico.comenglish.elpais.comtimesofsandiego.comnytimes.comshannongroveca.comelectjamesgallagher.comsierrabooster.comlittleforcongress.cominstagram.comfacebook.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgncsl.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgfec.govdonate.ballotpedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govgovinfo.govvotesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Brian Dahle favors reducing taxes and lowering energy costs, including calling for a suspension of the state gas tax and opposing measures he describes as enabling higher local taxation. He supports actions to lower utility bills and criticizes state regulations and tax policies that he says increase costs for Californians.
Healthcare
Brian Dahle has a record of opposing several state bills that expand health insurance coverage and has emphasized protecting Medi‑Cal reimbursements for rural and critical access providers while addressing surprise out‑of‑network medical bills. His campaign materials focus on cost, limiting government overreach, and targeted protections for rural health providers rather than proposing broad public‑coverage expansions. Voting records show he voted against multiple recent bills that would expand coverage or require broader insurer mandates.
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Immigration & Border
Supports streamlining the path to U.S. citizenship while not signalling an enforcement-first or restrictionist immigration agenda. Public statements during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign include support for reforms to simplify legal pathways to citizenship.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Opposes abortion and describes himself as pro‑life; has voted against legislation intended to expand abortion access and received very low grades from reproductive-rights advocacy groups. He has characterized his position as fully pro‑life and expressed opposition to abortion protections beyond limited circumstances.
Climate & Energy
Supports increased in-state oil production and energy independence, prioritizes forest management and wildfire mitigation as environmental actions, and criticizes broad, aggressive climate mandates as impractical without detailed plans. Says he is not a climate denier but favors continuing fossil fuel production during a transition to cleaner options and opposes measures he views as raising energy costs or offshoring emissions. Advocates processing oil permits faster, expanding transmission, and limiting regulatory barriers (e.g., CEQA) that he says impede energy development.
Public Safety & Guns
Brian Dahle has a record of opposing recent California gun-control measures and has received a high rating from the NRA, indicating support for gun rights and opposition to many new firearm restrictions. His legislative votes include multiple Nays on bills that expanded gun regulations, taxes on firearms/ammunition, and restrictions on ghost guns.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Brian Dahle is in the news because California’s 1st Congressional District special election is moving toward an Aug. 4 runoff if no candidate wins a majority. The race is to fill the rest of the late Republican Doug LaMalfa’s term. The election will be held under the current district boundaries, not the new map approved in a 2025 ballot measure.
archive.senate.ca.gov+58
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Who will win the CA-01 special election?
Endorsers of Brian Dahle for Who will win the CA-01 special election?
California Farm Bureau Federation
Public figure
California Farm Bureau Federation endorsed Brian Dahle for state Senate.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising