Election results: LaMalfa wins reelection over Steiner in 1st Congressional District race

Unofficial election results show Republican incumbent Doug LaMalfa cruising to victory in the race for 1st Congressional District.

LaMalfa will serve for a sixth two-year term after garnering almost 60% of votes over his Democratic opponent Max Steiner, according to ballot counts posted by the California Secretary of State.

The Associated Press called the race for LaMalfa on Tuesday, four hours after polls closed.

He earned the approval of two-thirds of voters in conservative-leaning Shasta County.

He was less favored in Siskiyou County, but is still the clear winner reported in the county's unofficial results.

A staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, LaMalfa said he'll work to "repeal the Biden Executive Orders that cut off low-cost domestic energy production," opting for building biomass power plants, using hydro-electric dams and keeping natural gas flowing in the North State.

Shasta County races to watch: See live results for contested races

While campaigning, LaMalfa came under attack from Steiner for the latter's support of election fraud claims and his "seditious embrace of conspiracy theories," saying Congress needs to pass legislation that ensures "malicious actors cannot undermine the peaceful transfer of power by lying about election results whenever they lose."

LaMalfa, who disputed the 2020 presidential election results, voted against certifying President Joe Biden's victory in two states.

He also supported the repeal of Roe vs. Wade in the U.S. Supreme Court, issuing a statement that said repealing blanket abortion protection was "a win for the right to life, for the unborn, and the constitution."

LaMalfa was favored to win another term in the U.S. Congress after he was the top vote getter in the June 7 primary in the conservative-leaning district, which covers the northeastern region of Northern California from the Nevada and Oregon borders to the west side of the Klamath National Forest, south into Yuba County.

8:05 a.m. Thursday: LaMalfa leads by almost 60%

LaMalfa's lead widened further  over his opponent, according to unofficial results posted by the California Secretary of State

The GOP candidate garnered 59.9% of the vote over Democratic challenger Steiner.

The Associated Press called the race for LaMalfa just after midnight Wednesday morning.

12:15 a.m. Wednesday: LaMalfa cruises to victory

LaMalfa pulled further ahead of Steiner, according to unofficial results posted by the California Secretary of State.

The GOP candidate leads with 58.4% of the vote over his Democratic rival Max Steiner.

The Associated Press has called the race for LaMalfa.

9:40 p.m.: LaMalfa leads over Steiner in 1st Congressional District race

Early returns show LaMalfa leading over Steiner in the race for California's 1st Congressional District.

LaMalfa earned 55.8% of the vote, ahead of Steiner's 44.2%.

Shasta County races to watch: See live results for contested races

6 a.m.: Original story

Voters decide Tuesday if they will give Republican incumbent Doug LaMalfa another two-year term in Congress or elect his challenger, Democrat Max Steiner.

LaMalfa, who has held the office since 2013, is favored to win again in the conservative-dominated district, including Shasta and Siskiyou counties. The district spans the northeastern region of California from the Nevada and Oregon borders to the west side of the Klamath National Forest, south into Yuba County.

The top vote-getter will deal with legislation that address wildfire suppression, emergency relief for disaster victims, water rights, energy costs, forest management and other issues affecting Californians in the 1st Congressional District.

They'll also represent their district on national issues including abortion rights, inflation battling legislation and budgetary spending.

Steiner advanced from the June 7 primary after he garnered 25.8% of the vote. In Shasta County he received 28.9% of the vote; and almost 38.6% in Siskiyou County.

LaMalfa pulled in 34.5% of the vote, earning 60.7% of the vote in Shasta County and 51.9% in Siskiyou County.

LaMalfa, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, said Congress needs "to repeal the Biden Executive Orders that cut off low-cost domestic energy production."

He also insists building biomass power plants, using hydro-electric dams and keeping natural gas flowing is the best way to keep Northern California's lights on.

Steiner said he supports election legislation that ensures "malicious actors cannot undermine the peaceful transfer of power by lying about election results whenever they lose."

To that end, Steiner criticized LaMalfa's "seditious embrace of conspiracy theories." LaMalfa, who has disputed the 2020 presidential election results, voted against certifying President Joe Biden's victory in two states.

A supporter of reproductive rights/abortion, Steiner also supports the federal government codifying Roe versus Wade into law, "guaranteeing a woman's right to reproductive choice until viability."

More: Fire, energy, water rights: Congressional candidates speak out on Northern California issues

Check back for updates on this race.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: LaMalfa wins reelection over Steiner in 1st Congressional District race