California State Assemblymember James Gallagher (R) on Tuesday won a special election to claim the House seat left vacated by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R) following his death in January, giving a slight boost to the Republican majority in the House.

Gallagher, who was endorsed by President Trump, will now represent California’s 1st Congressional District and serve the rest of LaMalfa’s term. He won 62.4 percent of the vote outright, knocking out State Sen. Mike McGuire (D) and Democrat Audrey Denney, who each received around 18 percent of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ.

As of Wednesday, the state assemblymember also led Tuesday’s primary race with 47.2 percent of the vote compared to 38 percent for McGuire and 13 percent for Denney.

Gallagher said his victory showed that voters chose him, as they did LaMalfa, to “be a voice and champion for our North State communities.”

“In November, we will be running in a new District, drawn not by an independent citizens commission, but in a backroom by my opponent Mike McGuire and other Sacramento politicians,” he said in a statement shared on social media. “The results tonight indicate that we will do well, as voters are fed up with Gavin Newsom and his chief Lieutenant Mike McGuire, whose policies have made California unaffordable and unsafe for too many families.”

The district, redrawn after the state passed Proposition 50 last November, is seen by the Cook Political Report as solid blue and could provide Gallagher with an uphill challenge against McGuire this November. The district acquired the more liberal city of Santa Rosa, as well as parts of Sonoma County.

“Today, the people of Northern California reminded us what democracy looks like,” McGuire wrote on the social platform X. “Neighbors showed up. Volunteers stepped up. Voters made their voices heard. When good people come together, they can accomplish extraordinary things — and today we’re on the road to take America back.”

LaMalfa served as the district’s representative since 2013. Many Republicans and other California lawmakers praised him upon the news of his death. Trump called LaMalfa a “fierce champion on California water issues” and praised his loyalty.

LaMalfa was a rice farmer and lifelong resident of Northern California. His largely rural district included Chico and Redding.

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