David Binder Research
40%30%20%10%0%
30%
Republican
Trump Endorsed
Trump EndorsedJames Gallagher
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 roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age45 years old (Mar 7, 1981)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley — B.A. (2003)
Notable personal detailsJames Gallagher is a Republican U.S. Representative from California, elected in a June 2, 2026 special election to fill the vacancy in California's 1st congressional district. He previously served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors (2009–2014) and in the California State Assembly (2014–2026), including as Assembly Republican Minority Leader (2022–2025). He is an attorney and earned degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Davis.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.govclerk.assembly.ca.govelectjamesgallagher.comlaw.ucdavis.edudocquery.fec.govafterschoolnetwork.orgjoincalifornia.comassembly.ca.govthecandidate.comapi.open.fec.govkalshi.comanalysis.limitedgov.orgcaliforniapolicycenter.orgbuttevotes.ca.govnrcc.orgelections.cdn.sos.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgad03.asmrc.orgapnews.comsierradailynews.comasmrc.orgturn0news12justfacts.votesmart.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orgnhpr.orgcaliforniaglobe.comad47.asmrc.orgijpr.orgfirearmspolicy.orglassennews.comsierrabooster.compolitico.comkrcrtv.commendovoice.comshastascout.orgrollcall.comactionnewsnow.comchicoer.comsacbee.commynspr.orgnewsnationnow.comjweekly.cominkl.comballotpedia.orgrobbtucker.compredictionedge.comfacebook.cominstagram.comgovinfo.govclerk.house.govhouse.govgallagher.house.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 15, 2026
James Gallagher has won the special election for California’s 1st Congressional District, filling the remainder of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s term and giving Republicans another House seat. He is also leading Mike McGuire in the race for the newly drawn district, setting up a likely November rematch if no one wins outright. Gallagher has also been in the news for advancing a wildfire restitution bill in the California Assembly.
history.house.gov+52
Articles
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat1 month ago
Letters to the Editor, Saturday, June 20
Positive
SSFGATE2 months ago
Republican wins Calif. district left empty by LaMalfa's sudden death
Positive
WEWashington Examiner2 months ago
James Gallagher wins California special election
Positive
NNNBC News2 months ago
Republican James Gallagher wins special election for vacant red House district in California
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Who will win the CA-01 special election?
Endorsers of James Gallagher for Who will win the CA-01 special election?
California Republican Party
Public figure
The California Republican Party endorsed James Gallagher in the June 2 special election.
California Farm Bureau
Public figure
The California Farm Bureau endorsed James Gallagher for Congress.
House Republican leaders
Public endorsement
House Republican leaders jointly endorsed James Gallagher for Congress.
All sheriffs and district attorneys in California's 1st Congressional District
Public endorsement
All sheriffs and district attorneys in California's 1st Congressional District endorsed James Gallagher.
President Donald J. Trump
Elected official
President Donald J. Trump endorsed James Gallagher for Congress in California's 1st District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.5M
$1.1M
$744.5K
$372.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.5M
$332.9K
$1.2M
$64.2K
Source: FEC