COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Gov. Gavin Newsom has scheduled a special election for Aug. 4, 2026, to fill the vacant congressional seat in California’s 1st District following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
Newsom issued a formal proclamation ordering the election to fill the vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives. The winner will serve the remainder of LaMalfa’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
California Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-East Nicolaus, announced Jan. 14 that he will seek the seat. Gallagher said he is running with the support of LaMalfa’s widow, Jill LaMalfa.
Following Newsom’s announcement, Gallagher criticized the timing of the election, saying the district will remain without representation longer than necessary.
“The Governor could have called this election for June 2 with the primary on March 31,” Gallagher said in a news release. “Instead he chose to play national political games and deny the people of the First District representation in Congress for at least two months longer than what was needed.”
Gallagher was among a group of Republican state lawmakers who previously urged Newsom to act sooner. In a letter dated Jan. 16 and addressed to the governor, the legislators said the delay left one of the state’s largest and most rural districts without a voice in Washington during a critical period.
The letter argued that the absence of representation affects federal advocacy tied to wildfire recovery, water access, agriculture, health care and infrastructure. The lawmakers said prolonged vacancies compound challenges already faced by rural communities and contribute to what they described as a growing divide between rural and urban representation in California.
“Rural communities’ matter,” the letter stated. “The people who live and work here deserve timely, fair representation just as much as any urban district.”
The letter was signed by multiple Assembly Republicans, including members representing districts across Northern and Southern California, and emphasized concerns that delays reinforce the perception that rural regions are not a priority in state decision making.
On Jan. 16, Audrey Denney of Chico announced she will also run for the open seat. Denney, a Democrat, said she has lived and worked in Northern California for 20 years and has been involved in wildfire recovery, health care issues and rural communities.
“I’ve never believed in walking away when things get tough, and I’m not about to start now,” Denney said in a statement announcing her candidacy.
LaMalfa, a seven-term Republican, died suddenly Jan. 6 at Enloe Medical Center in Chico. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
Until the special election is held, California’s 1st Congressional District will remain without representation in the U.S. House.