James Gallagher

James Gallagher first met his wife, Janna, when they were kindergarteners in Rio Oso.¹ They became high school sweethearts and have five children.² Born in Yuba City and raised in East Nicolaus, he is a sixth generation rice and walnut farmer.¹

He earned his bachelor's degree at UC Berkeley in 2003 and his law degree at UC Davis in 2007.³ At Berkeley, he edited The Patriot, a conservative student magazine, and served in the student senate.² His earlier work included an Assembly fellowship and practicing agricultural law, alongside a partnership in his family's farming business.²

Gallagher served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2014, then in the California Assembly from 2014 to 2026, including as Republican leader from 2022 to 2025.³ He authored AB1249, signed in September 2022, which excluded qualifying Fire Victim Trust settlement payments from California taxable income.⁴ He took the House oath on June 10, 2026, after winning the special election to succeed Doug LaMalfa.⁵⁶

His campaign priorities include rural hospitals, wildfire prevention and reducing the cost of building housing.¹ He wants stronger trade opportunities for farmers, action against cheap foreign imports and more locally grown food in schools and universities.¹ He also favors lower permitting costs and simpler environmental review for housing.¹ He faces Democrat Mike McGuire for a full term in the redrawn district.⁶