Two of the best-known names in Sacramento are on the ballot in California's 1st Congressional District. Democrat Mike McGuire, the former state Senate leader, faces Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher, the former Assembly minority leader. The district was redrawn under the Prop 50 map, which voters approved 64.4% to 35.6% on Nov. 4, 2025. The winner takes office in January 2027.

A near tie in June

Ballotpedia's results for the June 2 top-two primary:

  • James Gallagher (R): 42.1%, 92,975 votes
  • Mike McGuire (D): 41.8%, 92,121 votes
  • Audrey Denney (D): 14.2%, 31,378 votes

In total, 220,595 votes were cast. Gallagher also won the special primary to finish the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa's term under the old lines, taking 62.1% to McGuire's 17.3%. That was a majority, so no special runoff was needed.

The money

As of Oct. 14, McGuire had raised $2,266,830 and had $153,647 on hand. Gallagher had raised $1,995,260 and had $327,729 on hand. Ballotpedia lists outside spending supporting McGuire, including $372,060 from Protect Progress.

Gallagher

Gallagher was born in Yuba City in 1981. He holds a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a law degree from UC Davis. He spent six years as a Sutter County supervisor, has served in the Assembly since 2014 and was Assembly Republican leader from 2022 to 2025. KRCR reports that he is campaigning on energy costs and PG&E bills, water storage, removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list and the federal Fix Our Forests Act.

McGuire

McGuire calls himself a rural Democrat. KRCR reports that he says he would vote on day one to repeal the roughly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts, and he points to Oroville Hospital's Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a warning. He has criticized tariffs and is calling for more CAL FIRE firefighters.

The Bay Area connection

McGuire's run for Congress opened his state Senate District 2 seat, which stretches from the Golden Gate to Oregon. Read about that race in our story on Damon Connolly and Tief Gibbs.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.

More races and measures: our 2026 election hub.