Dual 2026 Races Reshape California’s District 1

DISTRICT 1 — Voters in California’s 1st Congressional District will participate in two elections during 2026. One of those contests arose after longtime Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa died on January 6. A special election will fill the vacancy for the remainder of LaMalfa’s current term, and the regular election will choose a representative for the full term that begins in January 2027.

The approval of Proposition 50, which created new congressional district boundaries for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, adds a further wrinkle to upcoming elections. The special election follows the original 2020 redistricting boundaries, while the regular election follows the new Proposition 50 map. Both races use a top-two primary system with the first round set for June 2.

Special Election

The old boundaries cover the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, and Tehama, plus most of Yuba County. Major communities in the area include Chico, Redding, and Yuba City. The district carries a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+12 and produced large Republican victories in recent election cycles.

Assemblymember James Gallagher leads Republican candidates. The Yuba City resident and former Assembly minority leader works as an agricultural attorney. Gallagher announced his candidacy days after LaMalfa’s death and gained support from the congressman’s widow, Jill LaMalfa. Gallagher has pledged to lower taxes and fees, enact tough-on-crime measures, strengthen border security, and shield farms and businesses from excessive regulation.

Democratic candidates include Audrey Denney, a civic-engagement director at Chico State University who finished second to LaMalfa in 2018 and 2020. State Senator Mike McGuire from Healdsburg has entered the race as well. Additional candidates feature James Salegui, an investment banker from Mount Shasta, and Angelita Valles, a former Victorville city councilmember now living in Lakehead.

Political observers expect Gallagher to advance from the June 2 primary alongside one Democrat. The Republican holds a strong advantage in the August 4 general election under the old boundaries.

Regular Election

The new Proposition 50 boundaries drop Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, along with portions around Redding and the Yuba-Sutter region. The map adds Santa Rosa and other North Bay areas to the district, as well as Plumas and Sierra Counties. Analysts project the redrawn lines would have given Kamala Harris a 54.5 percent to 42.3 percent victory over Donald Trump in 2024. The Cook Political Report rates the seat Solid Democratic.

Many of the same candidates compete in the regular election. Democrats such as Denney and McGuire benefit from the updated map. Republicans, including Gallagher, remain in the contest, though the boundaries tilt against them. Filing for the regular primary closed on March 6.

The top two finishers in the June primary are expected to be Democrats. The winner will take office in January 2027 for the full term. California Secretary of State records list current declared candidates and will release official ballots closer to the primary date.