Inland Mendocino County voters are about to play a major role in shaping California’s newly redrawn 1st Congressional District. Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher is facing Democrats Mike McGuire and Audrey Denney in the June 2 primary to replace longtime Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who died earlier this year. The race is already highlighting sharp political differences on taxes, energy policy, healthcare, and water rights affecting Northern California’s rural communities. Gallagher is campaigning on lower taxes and fewer regulations with backing from President Trump, while McGuire and Denney are focusing more on healthcare, wildfire resilience, and public investment.