Meet candidates in California's 1st Congressional District primary race on March 5

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight
Updated ·7 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

North State voters decide who will run for U.S. Congress, District 1 in November when they cast their ballots in the March 5 presidential primary election.

The top two vote-getters on March 5 face off in the final election race to represent the North State in the U.S. House of Representatives. That's regardless of political affiliation, so either two Democrats, or one Republican and one Democrat, will make it onto the Nov. 5 ballot, depending on what District 1 voters decide in the primary.

Based on previous election results, it's a good bet GOP incumbent Doug LaMalfa will advance to November. First elected to the office in 2012, LaMalfa won the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election with 62.1% of the vote district wide. In Shasta County, 66% of voters supported LaMalfa, while in Siskiyou County 60.7% of voters supported him, according to state and county elections data.

As of Feb. 9, two candidates oppose LaMalfa: Democrats Mike Doran and Rose Penelope Yee.

Here's what the candidates said about themselves, which North State issues they think are most important and why they think they're the best choice to represent California District 1.

Note to readers: The following statements are the opinions submitted by the candidates. They aren't endorsements, nor are their claims verified by the Redding Record Searchlight.

If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.

Incumbent Doug LaMalfa (R) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.
Incumbent Doug LaMalfa (R) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.

Doug LaMalfa (R)

Background (50 words or fewer): "LaMalfa is a fourth generation rice farmer and business owner who has lived in Northern California all his life. Doug attended local schools and grew up learning the value of hard work and community service. Doug earned his degree in Ag/Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo."

What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer)

Water: "Building more water storage is essential. Our state and the west have not kept up with growth. better management of the water we have is critical as is ensuring that our reservoirs are allowed to fill. I’ve passed legislation to modernize weather forecast utilization of water management so we can store more water in Oroville, Shasta and eventually Sites and not unnecessarily release it."

Inflation/Economy: "Many families are enduring unnecessarily increased costs of food, housing and energy which robs them of their income or savings. Inflation is caused by government overspending and over-regulating. We can’t add $6.5 trillion in new spending, plus Biden's new regulations that cost each family $10,000 a year and expect success. These need to be rolled back immediately."

Forestry: "To reduce fire risks we have to aggressively thin our overgrown forests. That takes policy changes and a greatly needed attitude adjustment at Forest Service."

Why do you think you're the best choice for District 1 representative? (100 words or fewer): "My focus is on getting results for Northern California, from finishing the Fire Victims Tax reform, building Sites Reservoir for much needed new water, and changing forest policy instead of burning them due to inaction. As the Chairman of the Forestry Subcommittee, I am working to include in the Farm Bill major improvements in our nations forest management including significant increases in thinning. As well, a secure food supply starts here in California. My team and I work hard to try and be everywhere in this very large district and be accessible in it."

More: Shasta County votes. How to cast your ballot in the Presidential Primary Election March 5

Candidate Rose Penelope Yee (D) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.
Candidate Rose Penelope Yee (D) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.

Rose Penelope Yee (D)

Background (50 words or fewer): "I’m a business leader with a degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Management. I co-founded Green Retirement, a California Benefit corporation and a founding B Corp, a financial firm that specializes in fossil-free and environmentally and socially-responsible investing in 401k’s with clients all over the country.

What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer)

"Healthcare for all: Accessible, quality healthcare through Medicare for all."

"Education for all: Accessible and tuition free public colleges and universities and trade schools. Forgiveness of federal student loan debt. Federal funding to help fund a world-class education for our kids."

"Economic security for all: Protect and expand Social Security (and) include vision, dental and long term care; federal jobs guarantee ― everyone should have access to a living wage job and be a productive citizen; guaranteed minimum income (of) at least $500 per month as a floor to help insulate Americans from unexpected expenses or provide income for those who (are) caregivers for family members; institute a living wage that keeps up with inflation and recognizes the value of labor; uphold worker’s rights (and) freedom to unionize; and paid maternal and paternal leave. I stand for family values and helping young families grow means we need paid maternal and paternal leave."

Why do you think you're the best choice for District 1 representative? (100 words or fewer): "I have a proven track record of leadership: The National Association of Plan Advisors Captain of Industry Award in 2015, B Economy Leadership Award in 2017 and B Collective Award in 2019 and 2020. Conscious Company Media recognized me as one of the World Changing Women of 2020."

More: Republicans Dahle and Fennell likely to vie for Senate District 1 in November

Candidate Mike Doran (D) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.
Candidate Mike Doran (D) is running for U.S. Representative for California's District 1 in the Presidential Primary Election on March 5, 2024.

Mike Doran (D)

Background (50 words or fewer): "(I've been a) lawyer since 1990, most recently with Berg & Associates. (I was) elected in 2022 to the Shasta Union High School District Board. In 1998 there was an El Niño like this year; since my father was a meteorologist in the Air Force giving weather to spy planes over Russia, (my) hobby/passion became climate change."

What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer):

My neighborhood was destroyed in the Carr Fire. The smoke above that fire contained a huge amount of CO2. On Doppler were the highest winds ever recorded in California history: 143 mph. The day before (the fire entered Redding), Cal Fire sent firefighters home. What changed from July 25 to July 26, 2018 was solar activity. The sun was relatively quiet but cosmic rays were very high. There’s an electrical and biological complexity to these mega fires. Cosmic rays were high during the Carr Fire and other mega fires; now the sun is active with spots and X-ray events and record heat and rain. The Earth’s magnetic field has weakened and shifted. This is very bad for California and the West. CO2 is interesting in clouds in electrical fields like the clouds above the Carr Fire. Cloud behaviors affect weather, like the Pacific high-blocking rain in the dry season.

Why do you think you're the best choice for District 1 representative? (100 words or fewer):

Business as usual is not addressing climate change, won't bring water, won't produce jobs, it won't fill dry wells with water. It’s about surface lows removing carbonation from oceans and that carbonation getting into clouds in electoral fields. Science is needed for mitigation but so we can be forewarned. I will work for better weather and climate models and policy.

More: Here's why ballot measures are another sign of a deeply divided Shasta County

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news 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 faces 2 rivals in California 1st Congressional primary race