James Gallagher '07 Elected to Congress

Federal Claims Judge and King Hall alum Ryan Holte, wearing a suit and bow tie, stands with Congressman and fellow alum James Gallagher, in blue suit and red tie.
Judge Ryan Holte '08, left, with Rep. James Gallagher '07 

James Gallagher ’07 has been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, filling the Northern California District 1 seat long held by Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died in January 2026.

Gallagher won the June primary special election to serve out LaMalfa’s term. A state Assembly member for 12 years, Gallagher served as Assembly Republican Minority Leader from 2022-25. Before the Assembly, Gallagher served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors.

Over the weekend, Gallagher talked to Ashley Zavala, political director for Sacramento’s KCRA Channel 3, about taking over for LaMalfa, his political mentor.

“I am certainly thinking of Doug as I step into this new role, and also excited for the work and thinking of my constituents,” Gallagher said.

Just before his swearing-in on June 10, Gallagher caught up with U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge and fellow King Hall alum Ryan Holte '08, who sent along a photo.

Gallagher will vie in November to serve a full term in District 1, which was redrawn under California’s Proposition 50. Gallagher was the top vote-getter in the primary, followed closely by former state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, a Democrat.

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Alumni