photo credit: McGuire for Congress/Assemblyman James Gallagher 
Democratic State Senator Mike McGuire (left) and Republican 
Assemblyman James Gallagher (right) will go toe-to-toe in November
for a seat in Congress.

Votes are still being counted in races across California, but some of the closely watched primary contests for Congress have been called.

Republican State Assembly leader James Gallagher has outright won the special primary to fill the remainder of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa's term.

"I think that was kind of a kind of confirmation of the tremendous leadership that Doug LaMalfa showed in that district, that he was loved and respected," Gallagher via phone after the election Wednesday. "Also that our message resonated that the North State needed a voice, someone who is really going to speak for them."

As it stands, Gallagher is the top vote- getter in both the special and general primary races, holding a 10,000-vote lead for the new 1st District.

The district was redrawn by 2025's Proposition 50 to include parts of Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties among others.

Gallagher will head next to Washington D.C. to serve in Congress, at least until January when the next term starts.

"Sounds like even within the next week we should be getting sworn in," Gallagher said. "Don't know the exact time yet, but as soon as possible we'll be going back and forth a lot."

Trailing behind Gallagher in the vote count of both races for the time being, is State Senator and Healdsburg Democrat Mike McGuire.

"Last night is what democracy looks like in America," McGuire said. "Neighbors showed up, volunteers stepped up, voters made their voice heard. And I could not be more humbled, honored, and grateful to be the top Democratic vote-getter in this race."

The Associated Press has called the result for District 1, setting up a showdown between Gallagher and McGuire later this year.

"Our sites are set on November to be able to flip this seat from red to blue the first time in 50 years," McGuire said.

The Associated Press estimates about half of the ballots in the primary race remain to be counted.