Candidate speculation begins in the wake of Prop. 50

The ballot measure's passage divided Californians but passed in a landslide
by Natalie Hanson, Lindajoy Fenley and Leslie Layton | Posted November 6, 2025
District 1 Rep. Doug LaMalfa would face competition in a more liberal congressional district. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Californians handed a big win to Proposition 50, according to preliminary Nov. 4 election results, signaling a major change to congressional maps in historically red districts like District 1.

The majority of voters in the rural Northern Sacramento Valley opposed the proposition, which will significantly reshape its District 1 that is now represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. The Butte County Clerk-Recorder reports today that almost 46% of the county’s voters favored Prop 50 and more than 54% opposed.

Opposition was even greater in Glenn and Tehama counties, with the “yes” vote further behind at almost 29% and 27% respectively. 

Statewide the picture was quite different. CalMatters’ reports today that nearly 64% of Californians voted for Prop. 50. read more

Redistricting will matter to District 1 residents

Climate, farming practices, rural health would be debatable
by Yucheng Tang | Posted September 16, 2025
Audrey Denney argues for passage of Prop 50 at a recent Sweet September meeting. Photo courtesy of Bruce McLean.

If California’s congressional districts are redrawn, District 1 residents could see lively debate about climate change and how farmers can adopt environmentally friendly practices.

Audrey Denney, chair of the Democratic Action Club of Chico, has announced she will run in the District 1 election if the proposed map is approved. Denney views agriculture as “a tremendous asset in the fight against climate change,” and would push for more incentives for farmers to adopt regenerative practices.

District 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa, by contrast, rejects climate-focused regulations as burdensome for small farmers and the food industry. LaMalfa, a rice farmer from Richvale who was first elected to the House 13 years ago, was one of four congress members to introduce legislation to provide disaster relief for farmers in the form of a permanent program. read more