California 1st District
James Gallagher (R) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
James Gallagher
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Gallagher has said and done, because Gallagher has too few votes in Congress for a grade yet.
Raised $1,995,260 since January 2025: 56% from people, 24% transfers and other income, 20% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Mike McGuire
Democrat · california state senator, former senate president pro tem
FLiberty Score F48 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what McGuire has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for McGuire.
Raised $2,266,830 since January 2025: 82% from people, 18% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: James Gallagher. James Gallagher: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Mike McGuire: F, 48 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
James Gallagher, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gallagher, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gallagher has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
He voted against H.Con.Res. 93, which directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting down a war powers limit aimed at stopping action against Iran is the with side of this measure.
-
He introduced a resolution to overturn the federal waiver for California's harbor craft emissions rule, saying the rule drives up costs.
“This rule drives up costs for maritime businesses, makes it harder to move goods through our ports, and ultimately leaves American families paying the price.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Removing a named regulation is the less regulation side of this measure.
-
He voted for H.Res. 1490, a resolution condemning socialism in all its forms.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Saying no to socialism is the with side of this measure.
-
His campaign platform pledges to stand up for families and parental rights.
“stand up for families and parental rights”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Parental rights with no school policy named does not settle the measure.
-
He voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 and said the military must stay the strongest in the world.
“Our military must remain the strongest and most capable fighting force in the world”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting to fund and equip the armed forces is the with side of this measure.
-
His campaign platform pledges to continue the President's border security measures.
“continue the tough border security implemented by the President”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is the with side of this measure.
Mike McGuire, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for McGuire, so the grade above comes from this list: what McGuire has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
His campaign site says he backs a serious strategy to keep Iran from a nuclear weapon, through diplomacy and without another long war.
“i will support diplomacy, regional de-escalation, and a serious strategy to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon without plunging america into another endless conflict.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A goal of no Iranian bomb with no sanction, deal or action named does not settle this measure.
-
Calls the US war with the Islamic Republic dangerous and illegal on his campaign site.
“The war in Iran is dangerous and illegal”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning the strikes on the regime, and pledging to stop the war, is the against side of this measure.
-
He called for mobilising against Russia's invasion and for pressure on its economy.
“We must stand strong for the people of Ukraine.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is the allies side.
-
As Senate majority leader he said California would not stand by while Russia attacks Ukraine and backed a bill to divest state pension funds from Russia.
“The people of California will not stand idly by while an autocratic thug attacks the innocent people of Ukraine and attempts to destroy their country,”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is the allies side.
-
His campaign site says he will fight to pass Medicare for All, guaranteeing health care to every American.
“in congress, i'll fight to pass medicare for all, guaranteeing healthcare to every american - full stop.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is the against side of this measure.
-
His campaign site pledges to repeal the 2025 tax cuts for the very wealthy and make billionaires and big corporations pay more.
“repealing donald trump's $2.2 trillion in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and making billionaires and big corporations finally pay their fair share”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes are the against side of this measure.
-
His campaign site calls for repealing the Trump tariffs.
“increase the minimum wage, build new housing, and repeal donald trump's disastrous tariffs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the with side of this measure.
-
His campaign site says he led the state senate effort to unmask ICE agents, let Californians sue them, and ban them from schools, churches and hospitals.
“i led the way in the state senate to force ice agents to take off their masks, allow californians to take ice agents to court, and ban ice agents from schools, churches, and hospitals.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Barring immigration agents from places where they enforce the law is opposing ICE, the against side of this measure.
-
His campaign site calls for body cameras, a use-of-force policy and judicial warrants for federal agents.
“ensure judicial warrants are used when conducting search and seizure of homes and businesses.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Rules on how agents conduct searches neither secure nor open the border, so this line does not settle the measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
California 1st District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.