Gavin Newsom set the latest special election for California’s District 1 on the last legal day, a move Republicans see as deliberate delay to hamper GOP influence in Washington. Assemblyman James Gallagher has entered the race to replace the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and the timing could stretch the vacancy into late summer or fall. California’s slow ballot counting and the tight House majority give this scheduling real political weight. This article unpacks the timing, the local dynamics, and what it means for Republicans fighting to hold legislative ground.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom chose the final window allowed by state law to schedule a special election to fill the District 1 seat after the unexpected death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa. That decision puts the primary on June 2, the same day as the statewide primary for the November midterms, which could stretch the process into August or beyond if no candidate clears 50 percent. Republicans view the move as a tactical delay meant to keep the House’s razor-thin balance from changing quickly. Given the stakes, this feels less like neutral scheduling and more like partisan maneuvering.
A primary for the special election is scheduled to occur on June 2, coinciding with the statewide primary for the November midterm election. If no individual candidate secures more than 50% of the vote for the congressional seat, then the special general election will proceed in August.
That would allow the razor-thin margin between Republicans and Democrats in the House to continue well into the summer. The date Newsom picked for the special election was the last possible day he could choose under state law.
Assemblyman James Gallagher, the Republican who serves as Assembly minority leader, announced his bid to succeed LaMalfa and is already a focal point for conservatives in the region. California law compelled the governor to set a date within 14 days and to schedule the special election 126 to 140 days after the call, which allowed Newsom to push scheduling to the limit. Republicans argue that slow-walking the timeline is aimed at blunting any early Republican gains in the House and keeping Speaker Mike Johnson’s fragile majority exposed for longer. In practical terms, delaying a new member’s seating reduces the time that person can influence lame-duck activity ahead of the midterms.
California’s reputation for slow ballot counting only adds fuel to the complaint that this delay is intentional. If Gallagher wins the primary and certification drags into late summer or September, he would have only a short window before the fall campaign season dominates attention. With the 2026 midterms set to consume party resources and messaging all fall, a late-arriving congressman would struggle to impact key votes or build momentum for GOP priorities. The result could be a symbolic victory for Republicans but a limited practical effect in Washington for several months.
Gallagher is vocal and understandably annoyed about the timing and optics of the whole thing. He has been a fierce critic of the governor, and many voters in District 1 are already inclined against Newsom’s agenda given the district’s conservative tilt. That political chemistry makes Gallagher a logical favorite in a district that remains strongly Republican under current lines. If Gallagher tops 50 percent in the June primary, the special general election would become unnecessary and the seat could be filled much sooner than the worst-case schedule.
Newsom’s approach invites comparison to other governors who have broad discretion when setting special elections, such as Texas where scheduling choices can be much looser. Critics say Newsom is trying to look like a kingmaker while using the rules to slow down a transition Republicans want to accelerate. Whether the motive was pure politics or merely a technical reading of the law, the effect favors the party already holding power in the state. For the GOP, the message is clear: expect fights over process as well as policy.
District 1 is currently a solid Republican district, which gives conservatives a clear path if they can mobilize voters efficiently. Local sentiment is chilly toward Sacramento’s progressive leadership, which could help a candidate like Gallagher consolidate support quickly. Endorsements from local leaders and family figures connected to the late congressman are shaping expectations that a decisive primary win is possible. Still, delays in counting and certification mean that even a clear result might not translate into immediate power back in D.C.
This scheduling stunt is also a political liability for Newsom beyond the short-term math. The governor’s national ambitions could be hurt by repeated portrayals of him manipulating rules for partisan ends, especially when voters outside California see it as deliberate obstruction. Between lawsuits, clashes with local governments, and high-profile policy fights, this latest episode feeds a larger story about governance and accountability. Republicans will use that narrative to argue the governor is prioritizing partisan advantage over timely representation for constituents.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left’s lies, new legislation wasn’t needed to secure our border, just a new president.
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