Assemblywoman Megan Dahle is competing against fellow Republican David Fennell in the race for California Senate District 1 stretching from Chico to Redding to Yreka and along the northwestern Sierra Nevada.
Voters decide the outcome of that race in the Nov. 5 general election.
The winning candidate is expected to advocate for constituents on issues including wildfire suppression, forest management, safety, crime, water rights, homelessness and the rising cost of living.
The last time Dahle and Fennell faced off was in March during the California primary. The two emerged as the top vote-getters.
Dahle, a farmer from Lassen County, seeks the seat held by her spouse, Brian Dahle. She started the race to the senate with a landslide win in the March 2024 primary. She garnered 77.2% of votes district wide, with 77.75% of the vote in Shasta County, according to state and county election data. She did even better with Siskiyou County voters, pulling in 83.09% of votes.
Still, Dahle has had a tough year. In January, she announced that she'd had a stroke before Christmas while she was "hospitalized for complications" with her heart.
Dahle's opponent, David Fennell, is a Silicon Valley businessman and entrepreneur who lives in Chico. A relative newcomer to the North State political scene, Fennell came in third in the June 2022 primary race for California lieutenant governor behind winner and Democrat Eleni Kounalakis and fellow Republican Angela Underwood Jacobs.
The winner in November will take office on Dec. 2 ― the first Monday in December following the election and the end of state Sen. Brian Dahle's term.
Brian Dahle first won the senate district seat in the 2019 special election, after Ted Gaines resigned from the position. Brian Dahle was reelected in 2020. Previously, he also held the state Assembly District 1 seat from November 2012 until 2019. That means he's reached his lifetime term limit: "12 years in the Senate, Assembly, or both, in any combination of terms," according to the California State Senate .
In their own words, here's what Megan Dahle and Fennell say are the three most important issues facing District 1, and why they're the best choice on the ballot.
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Megan Dahle (R)
Why are you the best candidate for the job? (50 words or fewer): As your Assemblywoman, I championed issues of the North State in Sacramento and successfully secured tens of millions of dollars for our communities. There is more work to be done. The California Professional Firefighters and CAL FIRE Local 2881 support my election. Let’s get California back on track.
What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer) :
- Reducing California's high cost of living is my top priority. Families can't afford the rising gas tax, higher taxes and increased healthcare costs.
- The lack of homeowners insurance availability and beyond inflated rates are forcing people out of their homes and out of our communities.
- We must continue to increase resources for forestry management to fire safe our communities.
David Fennell
Why are you the best candidate for the job? (50 words or fewer): As State Senator, I'll show up and work for the North State. From the Redding Rodeo to the Freedom Festival, I've met with voters and heard their concerns at over 200 events. Unlike past politicians, I will have a staffed office in Redding and will personally meet with constituents.
What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer) :
1) Better representation in Sacramento ― The North State is constantly being outvoted in Sacramento by more population areas such as Los Angeles that just do not understand our needs or values. Under current leadership, we are simply ignored in Sacramento. We need a fighter who will be a voice for the North State.
2) Expand jobs and economic development ― We need to champion policies in District 1 that both expands our Ag Industry in rural areas as well our cities, while taking into account our traditions and values.
3) Better management of land ― We need to manage our forest to reduce fire danger while also insuring water for our farmers.
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: Megan Dahle, David Fennell: Issues for Republican California Senate District 1 candidates
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