Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - Doug LaMalfa, a longtime Republican congressman from Northern California, has died at the age of 65, House GOP leadership announced Tuesday.
A fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner, LaMalfa
was widely regarded as a strong voice for agriculture and rural communities in
Congress. He served as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and played
a key role in shaping congressional responses to the deadly wildfires that have
hit California in recent years, including areas within his large district that
includes Chico.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a close friend, confirmed
LaMalfa’s death, describing it as a sudden and devastating loss. He said
LaMalfa was a devoted husband and father and a steadfast advocate for his
constituents and rural America, adding that his prayers were with LaMalfa’s
wife, Jill, and their children.
House GOP campaign chief Rep. Richard Hudson also paid
tribute, calling LaMalfa a principled conservative and tireless advocate for
Northern California. Hudson said LaMalfa never hesitated to fight for rural
communities, farmers, and working families, bringing grit, authenticity, and
conviction to his public service. He noted that they served together on the
Agriculture Committee and shared a love for cars and NASCAR, saying he would
deeply miss his friend.
LaMalfa’s death immediately affects the balance of power in
the narrowly divided House. Speaker Mike Johnson is now overseeing one of the
slimmest majorities in history, with Republicans holding 218 seats to
Democrats’ 213, leaving little room for party-line defections.
California will hold a special election to fill LaMalfa’s
seat in the coming weeks. The district is expected to remain safely Republican,
as LaMalfa represented an area that President Donald Trump won by roughly 25
points in the last election. Although the district has been redrawn for the
2026 midterms, the special election is expected to use the current boundaries.
President Donald Trump ordered flags at the White House to
be flown at half-staff in LaMalfa’s honor and paid tribute during remarks at a
House GOP retreat. Trump praised LaMalfa as a strong leader on Western and
California water issues and described him as a fierce champion for his
constituents.
The president also offered condolences to LaMalfa’s family
and said the congressman consistently supported his agenda. Trump said he
considered postponing his remarks but decided to proceed in LaMalfa’s honor,
noting that it was what the late congressman would have wanted.
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