By admin 
Two Republican candidates are competing in the November election to take Rep. James Gallagher’s now empty seat in the California Assembly.
Read more Billionaires outspend Prop. 40 backers 5-to-1 as wealth tax support slips in poll
Marysville City Councilmember Dom Belza and James Johansson, a former president of the California Farm Bureau who lives in Chico, emerged as the top two vote getters in a competitive primary election to fill the seat that has not been without an incumbent since 2014.
Gallagher, who represented the Northern California district in the state house for the last 12 years, went to Washington, D.C., after winning a special election to replace Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died unexpectedly at the beginning of this year, in the U.S. House. Gallagher is currently locked in a general election battle with state Sen. Mike McGuire to hold that seat into next year.
Where is the district?
The 3rd Assembly District begins in southern Placer County, and includes parts of Butte, Glenn, Sutter and Tehama counties, including Yuba City, Chico and Red Bluff. As of May 2026, the district held more than 288,000 registered voters, according to the secretary of state. Of those, a little more than 119,500 were registered Republicans and just under 85,000 were registered Democrats.
More about the candidates
Both candidates bring an agricultural background and conservative politics to the race. In candidate appearances, they’ve echoed each other in calls for the state to cut down on existing regulations, pass fewer laws that create burdens for businesses and to preserve water for use in Northern California. Both candidates point to lowering the cost of living for residents, including by reducing taxes, as high priorities. Both candidates also cite conservative issues of con,4cern like tougher policing and border security, though the district in question is far from international borders.
Belza, 43, is an agricultural businessman and the past founder of a political action committee called Free California that focused on illegal immigration and tax reform, among other issues. He served one term on the Marysville City Council, announcing in 2024 he would not seek reelection because he was eyeing state office. He and his wife Julia have had four children. Belza lost an 11-year-old daughter to childhood cancer in July, according to his campaign website.
Read more Sacramento-area HS football scoreboard for Week 5 and next week’s schedule
Belza has emerged as the candidate with more ties to the Republican political establishment. Gallagher endorsed him, as did his fellow congressman, Kevin Kiley and most of the Republicans currently in the state Legislature. He also has the endorsement of a number of prominent local and state level law enforcement associations.
In the primary election, Belza took 45% of the vote to Johansson’s 29%. Former Chico Mayor Andrew Coolidge came in third with 25% of the vote, failing to emerge from the primary.
Johansson, 58, is a farmer with an olive oil brand and a tasting room, according to his website. He spent four years on the Oroville City Council, serving as vice mayor, and then began a stint in the California Farm Bureau that culminated with serving as its president for six years — from 2017 to 2023. Johansson has three children with his wife Nicole. He studied political science at Colorado State University and the University of Alabama, according to his campaign website.
Coolidge endorsed Johansson after the primary election, and he also carries the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock and LaMalfa’s sister.
Read more Newsom signs bills creating security protections for religious worshipers