James Gallagher

James Gallagher represents California’s Assembly District 3 and is minority leader of the state assembly. Before his election to the assembly in 2014, he served for six years on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors. Advocating for small businesses and farmers in his legal practice, he is also a partner in his family’s farming operation. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in the passage of over 50 bills, with five signed by the governor in the previous year. Notable legislative achievements include supporting Paradise’s recovery from the 2018 Camp Fire, facilitating safe and affordable drinking water for the City of Willows, and assisting military families in obtaining temporary professional licenses for military spouses. Among his legislative wins are AB 1709 (2016), which modernizes codes related to “deaf or hearing impaired” individuals; AB 255 (2017), ensuring that sexually violent predators released by the Department of State Hospitals cannot be placed in counties without community ties; and AB 430 (2019), providing housing relief for Camp Fire victims through a streamlined ministerial process for housing developments meeting specific criteria in impacted areas. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California, Berkeley and a law degree at the University of California, Davis.