FOR CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 3

Press Release                                                                                              December 2, 2024

For Immediate Release                                                                             Phone: 530-300-5703

Chico Mayor Andrew Coolidge Announces Run for Assembly District #3 in 2026

Andrew Coolidge, Chico Mayor (2020-24) and City of Chico Councilmember (2014-2018), has announced that he will run for State Assembly District #3 in 2026 to replace James Gallagher, who will be facing term limits and will not be able to run again. Coolidge is a registered Republican.

Assembly District #3 includes Butte, Yuba and Sutter Counties along with portions of Tehama and Glenn Counties. Coolidge has a unique understanding of the district and its priorities, having been born and raised in the Yuba-Sutter area and then moving to Chico for college. He also has done business in Yuba, Sutter and Butte Counties for the last 30 years.

“District #3 is unique,” said Coolidge. “It is comprised of a large area, which ranges from the foothills to the valley, and one must have a full understanding of the different issues in each of these areas.” Coolidge, who lost his father in the 2017 Cascade Fire in the foothills of Yuba County, believes that fire protection and prevention is a key issue facing the district. “We continue to be at risk and the state continues to fail to make our communities safe,” said Coolidge. “While they have made some efforts, it simply is not enough.”

“Insurance rates have skyrocketed which is harming everyone, including our business and agricultural communities,” said Coolidge. He sees the state’s efforts to control escalating insurance rates as lackluster and unimpressive. “We are in a crisis,” said Coolidge. “Between insurance rates, housing costs, gas prices and fire danger, businesses in NorCal have been under attack with little help from their state government.”

Coolidge also stressed both the importance of agriculture in the region and protecting water rights. “Agriculture is one of the main sectors where we have a huge potential for job increases in NorCal, and we can’t realize those gains without controlled costs and proper water allocations,” said Coolidge.

Andrew attended school in the Yuba County foothills, graduating from Marysville High School and California State University, Chico. He raised his family in Chico and has a daughter and a son. Prior to taking his position on the Chico City Council in 2014, he served as board member and PTA President of a Chico charter school (Chico Country Day School), the Chair of the Buttes Area Council Eagle Scout Board of Review, and the Butte County Fair Board. He was also the sponsorship coordinator for the Yuba-Sutter Fair (9 years) and the Silver Dollar Fair (5 years). He co-founded the Peach Festival in Marysville with local peach farmer Jody Sodaro.

During his first term on the Chico City Council, Coolidge was part of the team which helped restore Chico fiscally, as the city was on the list of the top ten cities in California most likely to face bankruptcy. During his term as Mayor of Chico, Coolidge has built a reputation of being a calm, intelligent and experienced leader who runs well-organized meetings despite fringe efforts to protest on a variety of topics.

As Mayor, Coolidge also worked to move Chico forward on homeless issues, leading the city’s efforts to join the City of Grants Pass’ appeal to the Supreme Court (through an amicus brief). Chico was cited in the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Martin v. Boise, which had stopped cities from enforcing camping ordinances.

Also, during his time as Mayor, Chico has increased police department staffing by 45 employees in the last two years and started major efforts to fix Chico’s ailing streets and roads. Additionally, Coolidge led efforts on the council to craft an agreement between the City of Chico and the Town of Paradise for sewer service, which will allow Paradise to continue its rebuilding efforts.

“I have always felt a call to public service,” said Coolidge. “I now want to focus on the difficult task of making changes in the State of California. NorCal needs leadership which will continue to fight back against those trying to take the state down the wrong path; we need leadership who has the skills necessary for the job ahead.”