Gov. Newsom Sets Congressional Special Election Date for August – Latest Date the Election Could be Held

Following the sudden passing of California Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa January 6, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom is required to set the date for a Special Election to the now-vacant congressional seat.

State law requires a special election for a congressional vacancy to be held within 200 days of a proclamation for it.

Newsom just announced the special election for August 4, 2025 – the latest date the election could be held. While plenty of Republicans are irritated, and many even rolling their eyes at the petty governor, it was totally expected. Gavin Newsom never fails to go lower and than everyone expects.

Here is his proclamation:

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

I , GAVIN NEWSOM,

Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim and order that a special election shall be held on the 4th day of August 2026, within the 1st Congressional District o f the State, to fill the vacancy in the office o f the U.S. House of Representatives from said district resulting from the death of Representative Doug LaMalfa.

“Gavin Newsom’s decision to punt this special election to August is a blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and a disservice to the people of California’s First District,” said NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson. “He could have scheduled this election alongside the June primary, but instead chose to leave this seat vacant for months. Californians deserve a voice in Congress, and Newsom is denying them one for purely political reasons.”

Former Assembly Minority Leader and current Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), announced Wednesday that he will run to fill LaMalfa’s congressional seat.

Gallagher released a statement Friday in reaction to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proclamation setting the date for the Special General Election to fill the 1^st Congressional District for August 4^th 2026 (Primary on June 2):

“The Governor could have called this Election for June 2nd with the Primary on March 31. Instead he chose to play national political games and deny the people of the First District representation in Congress for at least two months longer than what was needed.”

As one of our readers commented when Congressman LaMalfa passed, “California needs more Doug LaMalfas and fewer Scott Weiners, Buffy Wicks, Ricardo Laras, Rob and Mia Bontas and Gavin Newsoms…”

Doug LaMalfa was a statesman and a voice of reason.

Rep. LaMalfa’s term expires January of 2027.