Doug LaMalfa, a long-time Republican congressman from Northern California, has died, House GOP management introduced Tuesday. He was 65.
As 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 house state — together with his sprawling district, which incorporates Chico, California — lately.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a detailed pal 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.”
Rep. Richard Hudson, the House GOP marketing campaign chief and one other shut pal 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.’”
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 may 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 more likely to stay in GOP palms: LaMalfa represented a district that President (*65*) Trump gained 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 below the present strains — which suggests a secure Republican seat.