CONGRESSMAN JAMES GALLAGHER with his Campaign Manager, Rachel Lederer at the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric annual dinner meeting in Vinton on Thursday, September 10th.
CONGRESSMAN JAMES GALLAGHER visited Sierra and Plumas counties Thursday, September 10th, meeting with residents, local officials and ranchers to hear concerns ranging from healthcare costs and state regulations to wildfire prevention and livestock protection.
Gallagher, a Republican, currently represents California’s 1st Congressional District. He was sworn into the U.S. House in June after winning the June 2nd special primary election to fill the remainder of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s term. He is seeking a full term representing the newly redrawn district.
Gallagher began his Sierra Valley visit in Sierraville, where he met with residents and listened to concerns affecting the rural community.
The cost of healthcare was among the topics discussed. Gallagher said affordable healthcare requires reform and argued that changes are also needed at the state level.
Tire regulations were another concern raised during the meeting. Gallagher said the new tire policy had been on the books for some time and estimated that the new requirements would take approximately 70 percent of tires off the market.
Gallagher said what he described as fundamental issues are “crushing our values” and called for greater resistance to what he termed the “regulatory regime.”
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden said regulations were straining residents, adding she “loves the state but hates the politics.”
Sierra County Forester Danielle Bradfield discussed ongoing efforts to protect communities from wildfire and some of the challenges associated with completing forest-management projects. She said they continue to have issues with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) that stop the work, noting “now it’s bees.” Bradfield stated there has been good collaboration with the State Board of Forestry, along with solid project plans and significant funding. However, she said repeated surveys can limit the operating season. She felt it was the Endangered Species Act above all else. Gallagher talked about his work with Butte County Fire Safe Council and emphasized the importance of protecting communities from wildfire. He called for increased land management and said more work needs to be done to reduce wildfire risks.
He encouraged residents to turn out the vote as “California keeps taking more money and giving less back.”
From there, Gallagher attended a training at the Sierraville School for Sierra Valley ranchers who were learning about less-than-lethal projectiles to discourage wolf-livestock interactions.
Gallagher continued his visit Thursday evening at the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) annual dinner at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton.
The dinner provided another opportunity for Gallagher to meet with residents from both Sierra and Plumas counties and discuss local issues.
Gallagher is originally from the Yuba City area. Before entering Congress, he served six years on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors and was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014. He represented the 3rd Assembly District and served as Assembly Republican Minority Leader from 2022 through 2025.
An attorney and partner in his family's farming operation, Gallagher has also emphasized issues affecting farmers and small businesses throughout his career.
His visit to Sierra Valley offered residents an opportunity to raise those concerns directly, while giving the newly elected congressman a chance to hear from rural communities he now represents in Washington.
CONGRESSMAN JAMES GALLAGHER visited Sierra and Plumas counties Thursday, September 10th, meeting with residents, local officials and ranchers to hear concerns ranging from healthcare costs and state regulations to wildfire prevention and livestock protection.
Gallagher, a Republican, currently represents California’s 1st Congressional District. He was sworn into the U.S. House in June after winning the June 2nd special primary election to fill the remainder of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s term. He is seeking a full term representing the newly redrawn district.
Gallagher began his Sierra Valley visit in Sierraville, where he met with residents and listened to concerns affecting the rural community.
The cost of healthcare was among the topics discussed. Gallagher said affordable healthcare requires reform and argued that changes are also needed at the state level.
Tire regulations were another concern raised during the meeting. Gallagher said the new tire policy had been on the books for some time and estimated that the new requirements would take approximately 70 percent of tires off the market.
Gallagher said what he described as fundamental issues are “crushing our values” and called for greater resistance to what he termed the “regulatory regime.”
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden said regulations were straining residents, adding she “loves the state but hates the politics.”
Sierra County Forester Danielle Bradfield discussed ongoing efforts to protect communities from wildfire and some of the challenges associated with completing forest-management projects. She said they continue to have issues with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) that stop the work, noting “now it’s bees.” Bradfield stated there has been good collaboration with the State Board of Forestry, along with solid project plans and significant funding. However, she said repeated surveys can limit the operating season. She felt it was the Endangered Species Act above all else. Gallagher talked about his work with Butte County Fire Safe Council and emphasized the importance of protecting communities from wildfire. He called for increased land management and said more work needs to be done to reduce wildfire risks.
He encouraged residents to turn out the vote as “California keeps taking more money and giving less back.”
From there, Gallagher attended a training at the Sierraville School for Sierra Valley ranchers who were learning about less-than-lethal projectiles to discourage wolf-livestock interactions.
Gallagher continued his visit Thursday evening at the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) annual dinner at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton.
The dinner provided another opportunity for Gallagher to meet with residents from both Sierra and Plumas counties and discuss local issues.
Gallagher is originally from the Yuba City area. Before entering Congress, he served six years on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors and was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014. He represented the 3rd Assembly District and served as Assembly Republican Minority Leader from 2022 through 2025.
An attorney and partner in his family's farming operation, Gallagher has also emphasized issues affecting farmers and small businesses throughout his career.
His visit to Sierra Valley offered residents an opportunity to raise those concerns directly, while giving the newly elected congressman a chance to hear from rural communities he now represents in Washington.
