David Binder Research
40%30%20%10%0%
30%
Republican
James Gallagher
CA-01 primary: first place
$36.6K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age45 years old (Mar 4, 1981)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley — B.A. (Political Science) (2003)
Notable personal detailsJames M. Gallagher is a Republican politician from Yuba City, California who served in the California State Assembly (District 3) beginning in 2014 and previously served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors (2009–2014). He was Assembly Minority Leader from 2022 to 2025. In 2026 he ran for U.S. House in California’s 1st Congressional District and was sworn in as the member for CA-01 in June 2026.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govclerk.house.govjoincalifornia.comassembly.ca.govuniversityofcalifornia.educookpolitical.comen.wikipedia.orgmynspr.orgamendment.appkalshi.comsacbee.compredictionedge.comvote-scope.comintegrityindex.usdocquery.fec.govterritorialdispatch.comcourts.ca.govarnoldporter.comcalnonprofits.orgelectjamesgallagher.comad03.asmrc.orgapnews.comsierradailynews.comasmrc.orgturn0news12justfacts.votesmart.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orgnhpr.orgcaliforniaglobe.comad47.asmrc.orgijpr.orgfirearmspolicy.orglassennews.comsierrabooster.compolitico.comfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgcongress.govhouse.govwhitehouse.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes, fewer regulations, and protections for existing taxpayer limits (including Proposition 13); has advocated suspending the gas tax, cutting utility rates, and opposing new state or local tax increases. Backed a Taxpayer Protection Act that would require voter approval for state and local taxes and has filed legal/legislative actions to defend taxpayer protections. Policy priorities emphasize tax relief for families and small businesses and reducing government-imposed costs.
Healthcare
Supports tightening and auditing California’s Medicaid program (Medi‑Cal), opposes expansion of benefits to undocumented immigrants, and has pushed fiscal accountability measures and enrollment limits to curb program costs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports tougher border security and stronger enforcement while opposing public-benefit expansions for undocumented immigrants. Has criticized state policies that extend Medi‑Cal or housing subsidies to undocumented immigrants and has called the southern border a crisis requiring stronger action to address fentanyl and human trafficking.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate opposes broad, unrestricted access to abortion and has voted against multiple California bills expanding abortion protections or access. He is rated poorly by reproductive-rights advocacy groups and has publicly expressed concern about removing gestational limits on abortion.
Climate & Energy
Supports prioritizing affordability and energy infrastructure over aggressive renewable mandates, advocates using biomass and forest fuels removal to reduce wildfire risk, and opposes California fuel and low‑carbon regulations that he says raise costs for consumers.
Public Safety & Guns
James Gallagher has a voting record opposing many California gun-control bills and has received high ratings from pro-gun organizations. He frames his positions in defense of lawful gun ownership and has been graded highly by gun-rights groups.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 4, 2026
James Gallagher has won the California 1st Congressional District special election, securing the seat for the rest of the term and giving Republicans another House vote. He is also leading Mike McGuire in the race for the newly drawn district, setting up a likely November rematch after the primary. Separately, Gallagher has been pushing a wildfire restitution bill in the California Assembly that passed unanimously and moved to the state Senate.
fec.gov+43
Articles
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat15 days ago
Letters to the Editor, Saturday, June 20
Positive
SSFGATE1 month ago
Republican wins Calif. district left empty by LaMalfa's sudden death
Positive
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
James Gallagher wins California special election
Positive
NNNBC News1 month ago
Republican James Gallagher wins special election for vacant red House district in California
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.0M
$785.4K
$523.6K
$261.8K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.0M
$479.6K
$567.7K
$33.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements