Republican James Gallagher wins special election for vacant red House district in California

Republican state Rep. James Gallagher, the former state Assembly minority leader, will join Congress as its newest member after he won California’s 1st District special election Tuesday, NBC News projects.

Republican state Rep. James Gallagher, the former state Assembly minority leader, will join Congress as its newest member after he won California’s 1st District special election Tuesday, NBC News projects.

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Gallagher will fill the seat left vacant by the death of Republican Doug LaMalfa, who died this year at age 65, after he secured a majority of votes, avoiding a runoff.

After he is sworn in, Gallagher will serve in Congress until the end of LaMalfa’s term this year, giving Republicans another vote to pad their slim majority. His election will give Republicans 218 votes in the House to Democrats’ 212, with four vacancies and an independent who caucuses with Republicans.