Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who represented a Northern California district, has died at the age of 65. LaMalfa has represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013, having previously served in the California State Assembly and Senate. He sat on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.
Doug LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer and lifelong resident of Northern California. His largely rural district included Chico and Redding. His death was confirmed in a statement by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. LaMalfa’s death was called “sudden” in a post on the social media platform X by the House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), as republicans who were close with LaMalfa were not aware of any health issues he had. He suffered an aneurysm and then a heart attack after being taken into surgery, according to one of the lawmakers and two others familiar with the matter.
President Trump acknowledged LaMalfa’s death in a speech to the House Republican retreat at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday morning, referring to the former lawmaker as a “fierce champion on California water issues” and praising his loyalty. The president said he considered not delivering the speech out of respect for LaMalfa, but that the late congressman would have encouraged him to do so. In Trump’s words, the late LaMalfa wasn’t a “three o’clock-in-the-morning person,” referring to GOP lawmakers who need presidential cajoling on critical votes. “With Doug, I never had to call. He was with us right from the beginning,” said Trump.
LaMalfa’s death narrows the already slim Republican majority in the House. With a 218-213 advantage, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford no more than two defections on party-line votes when all members are present. California law gives Gov. Gavin Newsom 14 days to set a date for a special election.
The winner would serve out LaMalfa’s term under the current district lines.
