Assembly District 1 Candidates Share Backgrounds and Priorities

DISTRICT 1 — Three candidates have filed for the election to represent Assembly District 1 in the state legislature. District 1 covers the northeast corner of California, including all of Sierra, Plumas, Nevada, and Lassen Counties. The district is currently represented by Heather Hadwick (R - Alturas), who was elected to the Assembly in 2024 and is running for re-election. Also running for the District 1 seat are Darin Hale of Anderson, a Republican, and Dianna James of Mt. Shasta, a Democrat.

The Mountain Messenger invited all three candidates to answer five questions, asking them to explain their backgrounds and, if elected, the issues they would prioritize and how they would represent the district. The responses we received from Hadwick and Hale appear below. James did not respond to our inquiry.

Heather Hadwick #

Please describe your background and the experience and insights you would bring to the legislature. #

I currently serve as the Assemblymember for California’s First Assembly District, representing the largest and most rural district in the state. I was raised in Dorris in Siskiyou County by a single mother who taught me the value of hard work and service. Today, my family operates our farm in Modoc County. Before serving in the Legislature, I worked as a teacher, small business owner, School Safety Specialist, and Deputy Director of Emergency Services. Those experiences gave me firsthand insight into the challenges facing rural California, including wildfire preparedness, public safety, agriculture, and economic development.

What do you see as the most important issues facing the First District? #

The biggest issues facing the First District are affordability, wildfire prevention and recovery, access to fire insurance, economic opportunity, and protecting our rural way of life. Families, ranchers, and small businesses are struggling with rising costs and insurance challenges that hit rural communities especially hard. We also have a wildlife predator issue that no one else in the state is dealing with. I will continue advocating for policies that support agriculture, forest management, economic growth, and rural communities.

Which issues or areas of legislation would be your highest priorities if you are elected? #

My priorities will continue to focus on public safety, wildfire prevention and recovery, agriculture, economic growth, and affordability. In my first year in office, I had six bills signed into law supporting emergency response, small businesses, workers, and first responders, including the first pro-Second Amendment bill signed into law in California in more than 20 years. I also helped secure more than $1.5 billion for wildfire mitigation, schools, infrastructure, and rural communities.

How will you stay in touch with and effectively represent constituents across the district? #

Representing a district this large requires being present and accessible. Since taking office, I have traveled 53,000 miles throughout all 11 counties, attending community events and meeting with local residents, businesses, and public officials. I launched the District 1 Connect group, which brings representatives from each county together monthly to discuss local issues and improve communication across the district. I also send out a weekly newsletter to over 150,000 people and keep our residents updated on social medias and in our local papers.

Is there anything else you would like to say to voters in this district? #

It would be an honor to continue serving the First District. In my first year, I was selected as Deputy Republican Leader of the Assembly and have worked across the aisle to deliver real results for Northern California. I am proud to be a voice for rural California in Sacramento and will continue to protect our quality of life.

Darin Hale #

Please describe your background and the experience and insights you would bring to the legislature. #

In the private sector I have been in the construction industry with over twenty years of experience. Since 2018 I have served my community within three different local government bodies under public works and development service departments. In 2022 I sought to become more civically engaged by serving on various boards and committees to present day. In 2024 I ran for City Council for the City of Anderson and won that seat as the top vote getter. If I am elected, I intend to bring the heat. Sacramento is not concerned with what our rural communities are going through. I believe being nice is overrated in Sacramento. Our life is not any better in District 1 by being nice and negotiating away our rural values. It’s time to elect someone who knows how to take a stand and isn’t afraid to bring the District 1 fight to Sacramento.

What do you see as the most important issues facing the First District? #

The current top issues are Cost of Living , Wolves, Water, Wildfire, Infrastructure, and Energy. Those are all issues that are important to me and all of District 1. People can be assured that I will fight for massive deregulation, forest management, water rights and water storage, ranchers’ rights to protect their families, livestock, domestic animals, and livelihood, repair/rebuild/restore our critical infrastructure, and affordable energy. However, my platform is primarily tackling the woke mind agenda that is being forced on our kids within our public-school systems, along with the attack on parental rights. Sacramento along with the California Teachers Union need to leave our kids and their families alone.

Which issues or areas of legislation would be your highest priorities if you are elected? #

Education, Infrastructure, Energy, True Local Control

The First District is big and diverse. If you’re elected, how will you stay in touch with and effectively represent constituents across the area? #

Not being present and accessible has one of the biggest complaints I have heard while out in the district campaigning. I pledge to change that. I would like to set aside one whole day every week or every two weeks and commit to visiting, speaking, and listening to the people, one town at a time.

Is there anything else you would like to say to voters in this district? #

In a CA Supermajority it is very difficult to get things accomplished in District 1 that align with our core values. I promise to be a strong fighter for our rural way of life, while not sacrificing our values for mere crumbs. I will not be bought by special interest groups to vote the way they want me to, nor will I capitulate to any party if it does not benefit our district. You can be confident in knowing that I will always vote for you - the People of Assembly District 1.