California’s congressional District 1 — a sprawling parcel in the state’s northeast corner — already faced a big shakeup. Now the death of the incumbent has made matters more complex.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican from Butte County, had represented the district in the House of Representatives since 2013 and planned to run again this year, even though the boundaries had been redrawn to make it favorable to Democrats. On Jan. 5, he fell ill at his home and died during emergency surgery at a Chico hospital.
A week later, here’s what is known about what will happen next.
How will LaMalfa’s successor be chosen?
A special election will decide who will serve out the remainder of his current term, until January 2027. The election for the subsequent term (January 2027 to January 2029) will be held according to California’s usual schedule, with the primary on June 2 and the general election on Nov. 3.
When is the special election?
Gov. Gavin Newsom has not named a date. He has a two-week window for that decision. The timetable under the state Constitution calls for it to happen in May or early June — and it could be scheduled concurrently with the June 2 ballot.
The two races — for the remainder of the term, and the subsequent full term — won’t necessarily have the same fields.
Will the new district boundaries apply for the special election?
No. The pre-Proposition 50 boundaries would remain in effect for that election, leaving District 1 a largely rural and Republican-leaning area. The redrawn district eliminates some precincts that are Republican strongholds and adds a heavily Democratic area of Sonoma County.
Who is running in the special election?
James Gallagher, 44, a six-term Assembly member and a LaMalfa protege, announced this week he will run. He has the support of LaMalfa’s widow and all eight of the state’s current Republican House members. He said he has not decided whether to run for the subsequent term.
Who is running in the election for the full term?
Before LaMalfa’s death, five Democrats had declared their candidacy for the 2026 election, including state Sen. Mike McGuire and Audrey Denney, who was the top Democratic contender for the seat in 2018 and 2020.
Will the election for the full term use the redrawn boundaries?
A federal appeals court this week ruled that the state can use the new voter-approved U.S. House map for the 2026 midterms. Republicans seeking to block its use plan to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Leave a Reply