Doug LaMalfa, a longtime Republican congressman from Northern California, has died, House GOP management introduced Tuesday, further shrinking the occasion’s precarious majority within the chamber.
A fourth-generation rice farmer and enterprise proprietor, LaMalfa was a revered voice in Washington on agriculture and rural communities, together with as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. He was influential in Congress’ response to the lethal wildfires that struck his dwelling state — together with his sprawling district, which incorporates Chico, California — in recent times. He was 65.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a detailed good friend of the congressman, confirmed LaMalfa’s demise in a press release Tuesday.
“Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America,” Emmer wrote in a post on X. “Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children.”
LaMalfa’s absence will reverberate instantly within the narrowly divided House. Speaker Mike Johnson is overseeing one of many thinnest House majorities in history and might now solely afford to lose two Republicans in any party-line vote on the ground. The present House make-up stands at 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
California might want to maintain a particular election to switch LaMalfa within the coming weeks. The seat is prone to stay in GOP arms: LaMalfa represented a district that President Donald Trump received by roughly 25 factors within the final election. While California Democrats have redrawn the district for the 2026 midterms, the particular election is predicted to be held beneath the present strains — which suggests a protected Republican seat.
Rep. Richard Hudson, the House GOP marketing campaign chief and one other shut good friend of LaMalfa, remembered the congressman Tuesday as “a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California.”
“Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service,” Hudson wrote in a press release, noting that the 2 served on the Agriculture Committee collectively and loved discussing all issues vehicles, together with their shared love of NASCAR. “I will deeply miss my ‘amigo.’”
President Donald Trump ordered that the flag flying above the White House be lowered to half-staff to honor the late congressman.
Trump opened his remarks at a House GOP member retreat Tuesday by paying tribute to the late congressman.
“I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member, great, great, great member, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday, as you probably have heard,” the president mentioned, talking from the stage of the Kennedy Center, which the board just lately renamed to incorporate Trump.
The president praised LaMalfa’s management and coverage focus, highlighting his function in Western points.
“He was the leader of the Western caucus, a fierce champion on California water issues. He was great on water,” Trump mentioned. “A true defender of American children. He was a defender of everybody.”
Trump additionally provided condolences to LaMalfa’s household and mirrored on their political alignment, saying the congressman “voted with me 100% of the time.”
While the president mentioned he thought of suspending his Tuesday morning remarks to the complete convention, he moved ahead in remembrance of LaMalfa.
“I was really, I was really saddened by his passing and was thinking about not even doing the speech in his honor, but then I decided that I have to do it in his honor. I’ll do it in his honor, because he would have wanted it that way,” Trump mentioned.
This story has been up to date with extra particulars.