Butte County farmer Jamie Johansson is running for California’s District Three Assembly seat as the region’s agricultural communities face pressure from water shortages, wildfire risk, rising energy costs, regulatory demands, and state budget problems. Johansson is a first-generation grower and a former president of the California Farm Bureau.

Johansson farms olives and citrus and began farming in 1993. He and his wife Nicole have three children. His public service includes time on the Oroville City Council and six years leading the California Farm Bureau, where he worked on farm issues in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. With current Assemblymember James Gallagher terming out, Johansson says the district needs someone ready to step in immediately.

District Three spans multiple Northern California counties and includes large agricultural and forested areas. Johansson argues that rural regions need strong representation in a legislature dominated by urban areas, noting that more than 30 Assembly members come from Los Angeles County alone.

Water is central to Johansson’s platform. He pointed to renewed momentum on the Sites Reservoir project, which could become the first major reservoir built in generations if construction starts in 2026. He also emphasized protecting dams in areas such as the Eel River and Potter Valley, and said the state should treat hydropower as clean energy to strengthen the economic case for maintaining dams that support both water storage and power generation.

Johansson also highlighted energy and fuel concerns, citing California’s high electricity rates—about 40 cents per kilowatt hour compared to a national average near 17 cents—and the impact on farms that rely on electric pumps. He warned that refinery exits, including Valero Energy and Phillips 66, could increase the state’s reliance on imported fuel. On regulation, he said he deals with 17 to 19 separate permits on his own farm and believes the cumulative effect of policies like AB 32 should be reviewed for impacts on cost of living and farm viability. He also pointed to a reported $36 billion state deficit and called for greater accountability and predictability in Sacramento.

Why it matters

• District Three covers large rural and agricultural areas, and the next Assembly member will shape how those communities are represented in Sacramento.
• Water storage, dam protection, and energy policy are directly tied to farm operations, household costs, and long-term resource management.
• Regulatory load and state budget challenges can affect whether multi-generation farms can keep operating in California.

What to do next

• Follow the District Three Assembly race and compare candidates’ positions on water reliability, energy costs, and regulatory policy.
• Get involved locally through voting, volunteering, or local office, as Johansson urged agricultural communities to stay engaged.

Source

Original reporting by agnetwest.com: https://agnetwest.com/jamie-johansson-district-3-assembly/