Republican Rep. James Gallagher has only been in Congress since June, but he's already facing a tough reelection campaign.
Gallagher won a special election to replace longtime Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who died in January.
Now he's running against Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire in a district that looks very different from the one he won earlier this year.
California voters approved Proposition 50 in 2025, redrawing the state's congressional districts to favor Democrats. The new 1st District includes parts of Sonoma and Mendocino counties, bringing in more Democratic voters.
Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties remain in the district, while Shasta, Siskiyou and Modoc counties move into District 2.
The race could also help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.
Gallagher and McGuire faced off in a candidate forum in Ukiah on Oct. 6. Here's how they compare on key issues and what's at stake in November.
1. Trump: Supporting his agenda vs. pushing back
McGuire has made opposing President Donald Trump's policies central to his campaign. He wants Congress to reverse federal Medicaid cuts included in Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, which he says threaten rural hospitals.
McGuire also wants to end Trump's tariffs and U.S. involvement in the Iran war.
Gallagher received Trump's endorsement and supports the administration's military campaign in Iran. He also defends tariffs as a way to negotiate better trade deals.
McGuire has portrayed Gallagher as too closely aligned with Trump. Gallagher, meanwhile, has tied McGuire to Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Democratic policies that he says have driven up the cost of living.
2. The economy: Tariffs, taxes and health care
The candidates also have different ideas about how to address affordability.
Gallagher wants to cut taxes and make housing easier to build by reducing regulations and capping fees.
He also supports changes to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, but says he wants to extend federal insurance subsidies that help lower premiums.
McGuire has focused on the impact of Trump's tariffs and Medicaid cuts, particularly on rural communities and hospitals.
3. Wildfires: More firefighters vs. reducing fuels
Both candidates say the federal government needs to do more to address wildfire risk, but they highlight different approaches.
McGuire wants to double the federal firefighting workforce and have firefighters working year-round. He also wants to create separate divisions within the U.S. Forest Service to manage forests and fight fires, using Cal Fire as a model.
Gallagher wants more funding to remove dead and dying trees and thick brush that can fuel wildfires. He argues California hasn't spent enough on that work.
4. A new congressional map changes the race
Gallagher won his special election in a district that favored Republicans. But Proposition 50 changed the district's political makeup if he's reelected.
The new boundaries bring in more Democratic voters, making Gallagher's path to another term more difficult. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race solid Democratic.
Gallagher would need strong support from Republican voters while also winning over independents and some Democrats. He says he's attracted voters across party lines throughout his political career.
The winner will represent the newly drawn district beginning in January.
5. The race could help determine control of Congress
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House. According to a Reuters tracker, Democrats need to gain four seats overall to take control.
A McGuire victory would flip a Republican-held seat and help Democrats reach that goal.
Decision Desk HQ's election forecast gives Democrats about a three-in-four chance of winning the House. That forecast already accounts for expected Democratic pickups in districts like California's 1st.
If Democrats take control, they could block Trump-backed legislation and launch investigations into his administration.
Listen to the full interviews
NSPR spoke with both candidates about their positions on national issues, wildfire prevention, and what they'd prioritize in Congress.
- James Gallagher: Listen to the full interview
- Mike McGuire: Listen to the full interview
