Republican James Gallagher Wins Special Election To Finish Late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s House Term

Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher won Tuesday’s special election to complete the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s congressional term after dominating the field in California’s 1st Congressional District.

With just over half the expected vote counted, Gallagher secured 62.6% support, easily surpassing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff election.

Democratic State Sen. Mike McGuire narrowly edged Democrat Audrey Denney for second place by just 37 votes, with both candidates receiving 17.9% support at the time results were reported.

LaMalfa, who represented the heavily Republican northern California district since 2013, died Jan. 6 after suffering a heart attack following an aortic dissection. He was 65 years old.

“It’s a mix of emotions,” Gallagher told KRCR-TV after the race was called by the Associated Press. “Missing Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who is a mentor to me, but also just feeling overwhelmed by the amount of support that we’ve had tonight.”

Gallagher, 45, has represented the rural region north of Sacramento in the California State Assembly since 2014.

His victory shifts the current House balance to 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one independent, and four vacant seats.

In a separate race Tuesday, Gallagher and McGuire also advanced to the Nov. 3 general election for California’s newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, which is viewed as somewhat more favorable to Democrats than the previous version of the district.

With roughly half the vote counted in that race, Gallagher led with 47.2%, while McGuire held 37.5%. Denney trailed with 13.4%.

The next congressional vacancy expected to be filled is the seat formerly held by ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.