James Gallagher is an attorney and farmer from Sutter County who served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors and then in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2026, including as Assembly Minority Leader from 2022 to 2025. He won the June 2, 2026 special election outright to fill the House seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa and is also running for a full term. His stated campaign messages are lower taxes, lower fees and fewer regulations, tougher laws against crime, and protecting farms and businesses from regulation.[1][2]
Gallagher was born in Yuba City in 1981 and attended local schools, according to his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey response. He describes himself as a descendant of Irish immigrants who settled in northern California in the early 1800s.[1]He earned a high school diploma from East Nicolaus High School, a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and a law degree from UC Davis, and he also completed an Assembly Fellowship in Sacramento.[1][2]He worked as an attorney in a practice centered on business and agriculture and is a partner in his family's rice farm.[1][2]
Gallagher served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years before joining the Assembly.[1][2]He represented California's Third Assembly District from 2014 to 2026; Roll Call describes the district as an inland district centered on Chico. His committee service included the Judiciary Committee, on which he was Vice Chair.[1][2]He was Assembly Minority Leader from 2022 to 2025, leading Republican legislators in opposing the 2025 redistricting effort, and Roll Call reports he stepped down as caucus leader in September 2025.[1][2]
Roll Call reports that the Public Policy Institute of California credited Gallagher with paying particular attention to small businesses and farms and with dozens of enacted bills, including a measure to facilitate housing relief for victims of the 2018 Camp Fire.[2]He won the June 2, 2026 special primary for California's 1st District with more than 60 percent of the vote, avoiding an August runoff, and was sworn in on June 10, 2026 to complete the term of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa. He also advanced from the regular June 2 primary for the full term.[1][2]According to his Ballotpedia survey response, Gallagher is married and lives in Sutter County with his family, and he is passionate about wildfire mitigation, water storage, supporting farms and small businesses, and neighborhood safety.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Foreign affairs & defense24 with · 5 against29 votes
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Jul 21, 2026 · Failed 214–216 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted.
Jul 23, 2026 · Passed 214–208 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 220–204 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This concurrent resolution establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2027, sets forth budgetary levels for FY2028-FY2036, and provides reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases the deficit.
Jul 22, 2026 · Passed 216–214 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.
Jul 15, 2026 · Passed 217–209 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities.
Jul 21, 2026 · Passed 220–205 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 216–211 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Sep 16, 2026 · Passed 214–208 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority for federal agencies to expedite the environmental review of certain mining infrastructure projects.
Sep 2, 2026 · Passed 218–201 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to be composed of nine Justices—one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Sep 2, 2026 · Failed 212–206 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.
Sep 16, 2026 · Passed 217–207 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers.
Jul 14, 2026 · Passed 221–201 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 216–211 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Sep 16, 2026 · Passed 214–208 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time. States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.
Jul 14, 2026 · Passed 308–117 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from engaging in boycotts against Israel.
Sep 3, 2026 · Passed 237–169 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 249–172 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in Supervision Act This bill requires specified federal financial agencies to assess their technological capabilities and procurement practices.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 417–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This bill reauthorizes and revises programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support services and education addressing breast and cervical cancer. The bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and makes changes to the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
Jul 20, 2026 · Passed 394–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Housing for the 21st Century Act This bill revises federal housing programs, including by expanding available financing for affordable housing and providing grants for planning and community development activities.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 358–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 4 of 58 party-divided votes on file.
Amendment (Grothman) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that requires the Secretary of Defense to report within 180 days on options for cutting Defense Department civilian employment by 200,000. (AI-written)
What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–210, Republicans 174–43
Amendment (Hunt) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that authorizes the Defense Secretary to acquire easements, including by condemnation, along the Santa Ynez Pipeline route, including California-owned land, to keep crude oil flowing to refineries supplying military installations. (AI-written)
What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 4–209, Republicans 211–4
Amendment (Boebert) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that strikes section 518, a pilot program using voice-based risk assessment technology to identify servicemembers for drug testing. (AI-written)
What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 175–37, Republicans 90–123
Amendment (Roy) to H.R. 8595 — Making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.
A yes vote supported an H.R. 8595 amendment that bars any funds in the bill from being made available to the United Nations. (AI-written)
What it does: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 136–80
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE
Retire through Ownership Act
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
YesVOTED
Motion: On Passage
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments
A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran
NoVOTED
Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
YesVOTED
Motion: On Passage
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.
