McGuire, who terms out of the Legislature next year, hopes to capitalize on Democrats’ new voter registration advantage in LaMalfa’s post-Prop. 50 district to flip a congressional seat from red to blue. His launch video appears to preemptively address the criticism that he’s out of touch with rural Californians.

California voters have approved Proposition 50, shifting redistricting control from the state’s independent commission to the legislature. Backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the measure is expected to make five U.S. House districts more favorable to Democrats ahead of 2026.