# James Gallagher (California politician)

James M. "Jamie" Gallagher (born March 7, 1981) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He represents the 3rd Assembly district, located in the northern Sacramento Valley. As of February 8, 2022, he was voted by the Assembly Republican Caucus as the Minority Leader of the California State Assembly.

## Background

Gallagher is the descendant of Irish immigrants who settled northern California in the early 1800s. His paternal grandfather, Robert Gallagher, served four years (1985–89) on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors.

## Education

After graduating from East Nicolaus High School, Gallagher earned a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Berkeley. Gallagher earned a JD degree from UC Davis.

## Career

Gallagher's political career began when he worked for state Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa as a fellow in a Fellowship Program.
Since 2007, Gallagher has been practicing law. He is a partner in his family's fifth generation rice and walnut farming operation. In 2008, Gallagher was elected to the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, where he served until his election to the state Assembly.
On November 4, 2014, Gallagher won the election and succeeded fellow Republican Dan Logue, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress that year. Gallagher is a Republican representing the California's 3rd State Assembly district, encompassing western parts of the Sacramento Valley. In 2017, Gallagher became the Republican Caucus Chairman of the California General Assembly.

## 2014 California State Assembly

California's 3rd State Assembly district election, 2014 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Gallagher | 34,744 | 44.4 |
| | Democratic | Jim Reed | 26,557 | 34.0 |
| | Republican | Ryan Schohr | 16,906 | 21.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 78,207 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | James Gallagher | 69,552 | 63.1 |
| | Democratic | Jim Reed | 40,736 | 36.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 104,288 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 2016 California State Assembly candidacy

California's 3rd State Assembly district election, 2016 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 66,686 | 61.0 |
| | Democratic | Edward Ritchie | 42,700 | 39.0 |
| | Democratic | Bryce Corron (write-in) | 12 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 109,398 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 108,910 | 63.0 |
| | Democratic | Edward Ritchie | 63,867 | 37.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 172,777 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 2018 California State Assembly candidacy

California's 3rd State Assembly district election, 2018 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 64,975 | 65.0 |
| | Democratic | Sonia Aery | 34,941 | 35.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 99,916 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 95,786 | 60.2 |
| | Democratic | Sonia Aery | 63,445 | 39.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 159,231 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 2020 California State Assembly candidacy

California's 3rd State Assembly district election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 66,378 | 65.5% |
| | Democratic | James R. Henson | 35,002 | 34.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | |

## 2022 California State Assembly election

2022 California's 3rd State Assembly district election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 65,115 | 66.0 |
| | Democratic | David Leon Zink | 33,513 | 34.0 |
| | Democratic | Jeanenne H. Hoston (write-in) | 41 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 98,669 | 100% |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | James Gallagher (incumbent) | 98,475 | 65.4 |
| | Democratic | David Leon Zink | 52,198 | 34.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 150,673 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Personal life

Gallagher's wife is Janna; they met in kindergarten while attending Browns School in Rio Oso, California. They have five children.