Republican Gallagher Wins Special Election for California House Seat

According to New York Post, with over half the expected ballots counted in California’s 1st Congressional District, Gallagher garnered 62.6% support, well above the 50% threshold required to prevent an August runoff election. The race for second place remained extremely tight between two Democratic candidates, with State Senator Mike McGuire leading Audrey Denney by a mere 37 votes, both hovering at 17.9% of the tally.

LaMalfa, who had served the far northern California district since 2013, died on January 6 of this year following a heart attack brought on by an aortic dissection. He was 65 years old at the time of his death.

The 45-year-old Gallagher, who has represented the rural region north of Sacramento in the State Assembly since December 2014, acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his victory after the Associated Press called the race. He described LaMalfa as a mentor while expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from voters.

The special election outcome adjusts the current House composition to 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and one independent—former Republican Kevin Kiley of California—with four seats remaining vacant.

In a separate contest for the November 3 general election representing the redrawn 1st District, which has been reconfigured to favor Democrats more than the current boundaries, Gallagher and McGuire both advanced. With half the estimated votes tallied in that race, Gallagher commanded 47.2% compared to McGuire’s 37.5%, while Denney trailed in third with 13.4%.

The next House vacancy will be filled on June 16, when voters will select a replacement for Representative Eric Swalwell, who resigned in disgrace on April 14 amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape.

With information from New York Post