James Gallagher

James Gallagher earned a high school diploma from East Nicolaus High School, a bachelor of arts degree at UC Berkeley before completing an Assembly Fellowship in Sacramento and a law degree at UC Davis. Before joining the Assembly, James Gallagher served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years.[2] His career experience includes working as an attorney and farmer.[3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

James Gallagher is the descendant of Irish immigrants who settled in northern California in the early 1800s. James was born in Yuba City in 1981 and attended local schools. He earned his BA degree at UC Berkeley and a JD degree at the University of California, Davis, where he graduated at the top of his class.

James Gallagher has represented California’s Third Assembly District since 2014 and served as Assembly Minority Leader from 2022-2025. Before joining the Assembly, he served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years. James advocates for small businesses and farmers in his law practice and is a partner in his family’s farming operation. James is married to his high school sweetheart, Janna; the two live in Sutter County where they are raising their five wonderful children.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Make life more affordable for North State families through lower taxes, lower fees and fewer regulationsEnact tougher laws protect our communities, neighborhoods and homes from crimeProtect our Farms and Businesses from excessive government regulation

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Wildfire mitigation. Water storage. Supporting farms and small businesses. Keeping our neighborhoods safe.

James Gallagher did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

James Gallagher did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

James Gallagher did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Gallagher's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[13]

Water and Flood Control

Excerpt: "Protecting our north state water rights and increasing water storage and flood protection are all crucial to our local economy."

Taxation

Excerpt: "I’m proud to be the only candidate for Assembly in our district endorsed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. I won’t accept any plan to alter Prop. 13 or raise taxes on already overburdened California taxpayers."

Early Prison Release – Public Safety Realignment

Excerpt: "I oppose the Governor’s plan for early release of nearly 50,000 prison inmates. AB 109 (Public Safety Realignment) is bad public policy. It was hasty legislation that was largely a function of the State once again kicking its financial problem down on the counties."

Education

Excerpt: "I believe we need to reform education funding and give local school boards, parents, and teachers the flexibility to adopt education plans suitable to their local needs, economy, and culture."

Health Care

Excerpt: "By restoring the doctor-patient relationship, increasing local medical clinics, and allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines we can increase the access and quality of health care for all people. I believe we also need strong tort reform and a requirement that those with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage."