David Binder Research
40%30%20%10%0%
30%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentJames Gallagher
RepublicanIncumbent
IncumbentJames Gallagher
CA-01 primary: first place
$36.6K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age45 years old (Mar 7, 1981)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationB.A., Political Science, University of California, Berkeley
Notable personal detailsJames Matthew Gallagher is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 1st congressional district. He previously served in the California State Assembly (3rd district) from 2014 to 2026 and was Minority Leader of the California State Assembly from 2022 to 2025. He is an attorney and has been associated with his family’s rice and walnut farming operation.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgclerk.house.govjoincalifornia.comgreatamericanpatriot.comreference.orgcbsnews.comassembly.ca.govdosen.profillengkap.comcookpolitical.comnrcc.orgagri-pulse.comellisinsight.comthecandidate.comapnews.comdocquery.fec.govafterschoolnetwork.orgarnoldporter.comelectjamesgallagher.comad03.asmrc.orgsierradailynews.comasmrc.orgturn0news12justfacts.votesmart.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orgnhpr.orgcaliforniaglobe.comad47.asmrc.orgijpr.orgfirearmspolicy.orglassennews.comsierrabooster.compolitico.comkrcrtv.commendovoice.comshastascout.orgrollcall.comactionnewsnow.comchicoer.comsacbee.commynspr.orginkl.comballotpedia.orgrobbtucker.comfacebook.cominstagram.comhistory.house.govgovinfo.govforeignaffairs.house.govwesterncaucus.house.govwesterncaucus-gosar.house.govziplook.house.govgallagher.house.govhouse.govdocuments.ncsl.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes, fewer regulations, and protections for existing taxpayer limits (including Proposition 13); has advocated suspending the gas tax, cutting utility rates, and opposing new state or local tax increases. Backed a Taxpayer Protection Act that would require voter approval for state and local taxes and has filed legal/legislative actions to defend taxpayer protections. Policy priorities emphasize tax relief for families and small businesses and reducing government-imposed costs.
Healthcare
Supports tightening and auditing California’s Medicaid program (Medi‑Cal), opposes expansion of benefits to undocumented immigrants, and has pushed fiscal accountability measures and enrollment limits to curb program costs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports tougher border security and stronger enforcement while opposing public-benefit expansions for undocumented immigrants. Has criticized state policies that extend Medi‑Cal or housing subsidies to undocumented immigrants and has called the southern border a crisis requiring stronger action to address fentanyl and human trafficking.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate opposes broad, unrestricted access to abortion and has voted against multiple California bills expanding abortion protections or access. He is rated poorly by reproductive-rights advocacy groups and has publicly expressed concern about removing gestational limits on abortion.
Climate & Energy
Supports prioritizing affordability and energy infrastructure over aggressive renewable mandates, advocates using biomass and forest fuels removal to reduce wildfire risk, and opposes California fuel and low‑carbon regulations that he says raise costs for consumers.
Public Safety & Guns
James Gallagher has a voting record opposing many California gun-control bills and has received high ratings from pro-gun organizations. He frames his positions in defense of lawful gun ownership and has been graded highly by gun-rights groups.
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.5M
$1.1M
$744.5K
$372.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.5M
$332.9K
$1.2M
$64.2K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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