Formal Resignation From The State Assembly 👇
Jefferson wrote that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed, echoing a principle that has guided my service in the California State Assembly.
Following my election to the United States House of Representatives, I hereby resign from my current office as Assemblymember for California’s Third Assembly District, effective at close of business on June 9th, 2026.
Remaining committed to the principles of liberty, accountable government, and public service, I look forward to continuing to represent my communities in Congress.
One of the greatest privileges of my life has been representing the great people of Northern California, and I remain honored and grateful for their trust and support.
This is the end. 12 years goes by quick.
When I am sworn in to Congress, it will be the first time ever I have been in the majority. I’ve spent my entire political career in the minority. It’s sharpened my skills, it’s refined my acumen, it’s made me stronger. It’s given me an appreciation for ensuring fair treatment of the minority party in a democracy. It’s given me an opportunity to be a voice of conscience. And I think that has made a difference on more than a few occasions.
It’s been a pretty wild ride. I want to thank my amazing wife, Janna, and our five children: Kate, Maggie, Kellen, Conor, and Ronan, for being along for that ride. And my dedicated staff, many of whom have been with me all 12 years.
We are stewards of this office. Our job is to leave it better than we came into it. I hope that I did so. A long-time lobbyist once told me “When you think you are the only one who can do this job, it’s time to go.” I’m glad ego never got the best of me. It’s good that we provide for term limits. Our republic needs new eyes and perspectives.
Some Gallagher words of wisdom (for whatever they are worth):
Seek the truth. Give yourself time, research, and room to find out what is true – what is really true about an issue, not what people or advocates say about it.
Stand for your convictions. Pursue a righteous cause even if it puts you at odds with allies or people you respect. Surprise people.
Don’t take it to heart. Don’t burn a bridge. There’s always another issue and another vote, and you never know with whom you might find common cause.
Stand up for the institution. The legislative branch is the most important to our republic, but right now it is the weakest.
In the end, I hope you saw someone who genuinely cares, and who represented his district well. We are all flawed individuals. I hope you looked past my flaws – my flesh – and saw Jesus instead. If there was anything good you saw in me, it was Christ working in me, the hope of glory.
Many of you are believers as well. You are my brothers and my sisters on both sides of the aisle. We battle not against flesh and blood; our battle is spiritual. There is nothing I can add or take away from His work that is already finished. God’s grace is for all. It is the great equalizer. Our work here is worthy, but it will all pass away. There is no greater gift I can give than to tell you that God loves you, Christ died for you, and he stands at the door ready to give you Living Water in which you will never thirst.
I have been convicted many times by the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone asked Jesus once: “Who is my neighbor?” And he told them of a Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews because their beliefs were all wrong. They even worshiped on the wrong mountain. Yet in the parable, the Good Samaritan was the only one who was a true “neighbor” and helped a wounded traveler. We don’t worship on the same mountain. Democrats and Republicans, urban and rural. But sometimes a Samaritan can show you the better way.
There’s a dichotomy to serving in this place. You have to be intractable at times, and also find compromise. You have to see this as a battlefield and also as a family dinner table. You have to have strife and debate, and then friendly banter afterward. There’s a time to unite and a time to divide.
I love this place and I hate it. I’ve had special moments with each of you, even some of my bitterest rivals. But I hate that my people still don’t have a real shot to govern themselves. Decisions are made for them, often against their clear will or desire. And that’s pretty frustrating. I get compromise, I get that the minority can’t win most of the time, but when you lose all of the time it’s debilitating.
So I say this with love and make it my last request: Let my people go! Pass AJR 23 and give us a shot at self-determination. It’s the American Way.
Exodus 4:11 – 12.
Sincerely,
James Gallagher
Assemblymember, 3rd District
Republican Leader Emeritus
