Why does this race matter?
After Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death in January, Rep. James Gallagher won a June special election to finish his term. But Proposition 50 has redrawn this district from solid red to solid blue for the November election. Gallagher now faces tough odds against state Sen. Mike McGuire in a district some call “tailor-made” for him.
What does a U.S. representative do?
Representatives are your local community’s voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of Congress write and vote on bills, including the federal budget. The winner will serve a two-year term.
Key Candidates
This list represents the most notable candidates running for the seat.
James GallagherU.S. representativeRepublican
Mike McGuireCalifornia state senatorDemocrat
Positions on Key Issues
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.
Affordability is a top concern for many people. How will you bring down costs for residents in your district?
Gallagher homes in on energy prices. He says he would pressure the state to reduce the gas tax and exempt certain fuels from cap-and-invest, the state’s signature program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “We already have the Low Carbon Fuel Standard so it’s kind of a double taxation when you put fuels under cap-and-[invest] as well.” He wants to localize energy production so the state isn’t wasting money on transporting it.
McGuire would focus first on protecting healthcare. He wants to repeal the Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts in President Donald Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill.” He would restore a federal subsidy for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that helped keep premiums down. He would also cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin nationally, as California has done.
This district has experienced catastrophic wildfires. If elected, what federal wildfire prevention and disaster recovery funding would you push for?
Gallagher supports the Fix Our Forests Act to expedite forest management projects on federal land. He wants greater funding for fuel reduction and wildfire prevention. “The number one cause of wildfires is this dangerous build-up of fuels and undergrowth, dead and dying trees,” he says. “We need to get on top of the issue fast.”
McGuire points to his record in the Legislature, including doubling the number of CalFire firefighters, expanding fire prevention projects and transitioning seasonal firefighters to full-time status. Federally, he would also split the U.S. Forest Service into separate forestry and firefighting agencies. He says to combat megafires driven by climate change, “we have to focus on weaning ourselves long-term off carbon.”
Much of this district’s economy relies on agriculture, which has suffered from tariffs, rising fuel costs and water shortages. What’s your priority for supporting local farmers?
Gallagher blames state policies for increasing agriculture’s input costs, specifically in labor, fuel and fertilizer. He wants to leverage tariffs to negotiate better deals for American farms in foreign markets. “Tariffs in the interim have had an increase in some supply costs, but it’s also helping to get better trade deals,” he says. He supports increasing the state’s overall water supply, including by building Sites Reservoir in Colusa County.
McGuire would eliminate Trump’s tariffs, which he says are “wreaking havoc on our economy” and will put farmers out of business. He supports strengthening the state’s water storage supply by building Sites Reservoir and increasing storage capacity at Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake. He’s concerned about retaliatory tariffs on almond and walnut growers and would work to restore the state’s reputation as a “good trade partner.”
With the agriculture sector relying heavily on immigrant labor, how would you respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in this district?
Gallagher says the agency should focus on violent criminals rather than “broad sweeps and raids.” He believes the country needs a secure border and to enforce immigration laws. “If someone's abusing their authority, they should absolutely be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law,” he says.
McGuire would have the country follow California’s lead, banning ICE from schools and hospitals and allowing individuals to sue agents for violating constitutional rights. He supports requiring all ICE agents to wear body cameras and calls for use-of-force policies “with teeth” and greater accountability for ICE agents.
Proposition 50 dramatically changed this district’s political makeup. How do you see your role representing all people in the newly reshaped district?
Gallagher says voters don’t like the “corruption” of Proposition 50, and he accuses McGuire of drawing his own district. “The people get to decide who their representative is. Nobody gets to get coronated,” he says. Even though the district’s new lines favor Democrats, Gallagher says his mission is unchanged: fight for lower costs, greater investment in healthcare and his constituents’ best interests. “Do we want to continue the status quo or do we want something different?”
McGuire says that as one of the few rural Democrats in the state Senate, he believes more unites than divides us. “If someone's house burns down in a rural community, you don't ask if they're a Democrat or a Republican. You ask, ‘How can I help?’” He points to more than 50 town halls and community meetings he’s held since January to demonstrate his approach is to show up, listen and deliver for everyone.
Key Supporters
This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.
For Gallagher
- Kevin Kiley, U.S. representative
- Jill LaMalfa, wife of late Rep. Doug LaMalfa
- Donald Trump, president
- David Valadao, U.S. representative
- California Republican Party
For McGuire
- Gavin Newsom, governor
- Alex Padilla, U.S. senator
- Nancy Pelosi, U.S. representative
- Adam Schiff, U.S. senator, California
- California Democratic Party
Additional Candidates
John "Gus" BufflerRocket scientistDemocrat
Nathan DeerHomeowners association treasurerNo Party Preference. Immunologist who says “articles of impeachment should be drawn up for every single member of the [Trump] administration.”
Keith FreedmanSmall business ownerDemocrat
David GanezerNewspaper publisherRepublican. Santa Monica-based publisher of the Santa Monica Observer.
Omed HamidTechnology advocateDemocrat. Founder of the crowdsourcing platform Kabulay.
Gregory HaynesCivil rights advocateDemocrat
Jingchao XiongSocial management scientistRepublican. Previously ran in the 2024 primary for state Senate, district 11.