James Gallagher wins majority in California 1st District

Republican James Gallagher has won a special election in California’s 1st Congressional District, securing the seat outright and avoiding a runoff. Unofficial results posted Wednesday showed Gallagher with 62.6 percent of the vote, well above the majority threshold required under state law. The special election was called to fill the vacancy left by the late Representative Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented the Northern California district.

With all precincts partially reporting, Gallagher received 65,915 votes. The two leading Democratic candidates, Audrey Denney and Mike McGuire, each received approximately 17.6 percent. Because Gallagher surpassed 50 percent of the vote, no special general election will be held. County officials are continuing to process mail-in and provisional ballots, with final results to be certified by the Secretary of State by June 11.

Gallagher celebrated the victory on social media, thanking the district. He was also the top vote-getter in the separate regular primary election held the same day for the newly redrawn 1st District, positioning him as the Republican nominee for the full term beginning in January.