Republican California Rep. Doug LaMalfa died at 65 on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
LaMalfa represented the Golden State’s 1st congressional district since 2013 and chaired the Congressional Western Caucus. His district was one of the GOP-held seats gerrymandered to become significantly more Democratic in 2025 by California’s Proposition 50.
LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer and previously served in the California State Assembly. In both federal and state politics, he had prioritized agricultural issues, water access and wildfire prevention.
President Donald Trump addressed LaMalfa’s passing during his remarks to the House Republican caucus at their annual gathering at the Kennedy Center, saying LaMalfa was “fantastic.”
Trump reportedly contemplated not giving his speech to the caucus today in honor of LaMalfa’s death, and said he loved how he never had to call LaMalfa to ask for his vote.
“Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa,” Majority Whip Tom Emmer said in a statement on Tuesday morning. “Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children.”
LaMalfa died after he suffered an aneurysm followed by a heart attack, Politico reported, citing multiple anonymous sources.
The lawmaker’s death now leaves the House Republicans with 218 seats compared with Democrats’ 213.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson made a statement on LaMalfa’s passing, calling him a “friend and brother.”
“Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a lifelong resident of northern California and deeply loved its people. He was as fierce of a fighter for his state’s vast natural resources and beauty as we have ever known,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “We are mourning the loss of our friend and brother today and we send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time.”
Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who was LaMalfa’s roommate in the California State Legislature, said he’s “devastated” by the news of LaMalfa’s passing.
“He’s probably one of the most genuine, most honest guys you would ever meet,” McCarthy told NBC News Tuesday. “He was a rice farmer. He represented his district so well. He would travel anywhere to talk to anybody. He went up and down the state. We were together campaigning earlier this year, but he was my roommate in Sacramento and we have been dear friends ever since.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also released a statement on LaMalfa’s passing, saying he “worked powerfully to protect California’s farmers.”
“I join people across Northern California in mourning the untimely passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. A fourth-generation rice farmer, Rep. LaMalfa treasured his community, worked powerfully to protect California’s farmers and served those he represented with principled purpose, from the state legislature to the United States House of Representatives,” Jeffries said in the statement sent to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Doug and I joined the Congress as classmates in 2013, and it was an honor to witness firsthand his passion and personal resolve for more than a decade. We mourn with Doug’s wife and children. May God watch over his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Republican North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), posted a statement to X, saying “Doug brought grit” to his work in public service.
“I cherished our time serving together on the Agriculture Committee and discussing NASCAR- he was a real gear head and a motorsports fan. I will deeply miss my ‘amigo.’ Renee and I are praying for his beloved wife Jill, as well as Kyle, Allison, Sophia, Natalie, and all his loved ones, friends and staff during this incredibly difficult time,” Hudson wrote.
LaMalfa, who had represented a heavily Republican district, was running for reelection in a seat redrawn to favor Democrats against Democratic California Senate President pro tempore Mike McGuire. After the Republican’s death, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has two weeks to call a special election. While a special election to complete LaMalfa’s term will occur under the current GOP-leaning lines, the regularly scheduled November election for the 1st congressional district will take place with the new Prop 50 lines in full effect.
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