California agricultural advocate Rep. Doug LaMalfa passes away, tightening Republican grip on the House
Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term Republican congressman and California rice grower known for his steadfast support of President Donald Trump’s policies, has passed away. He was 65.
His passing narrows the Republican Party’s razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, leaving them with 218 seats against the Democrats’ 213.
According to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the congressman suffered a medical emergency on Monday evening and was transported to a nearby hospital. He passed away on Tuesday during a surgical operation, though officials have not yet released the specific cause of death.
President Trump voiced “tremendous sorrow” while speaking to House Republicans on Tuesday, mourning the loss of a dependable legislative partner. He noted that unlike other members who required late-night persuasion, LaMalfa was a consistent ally who didn’t need 3 a.m. phone calls.
“He voted with me 100% of the time,” Trump remarked. “With Doug, I never had to call.”
Dedicated to public service
A fourth-generation rice cultivator, LaMalfa moved from the state Legislature to Congress in 2012. He represented California’s 1st District, a massive rural territory stretching from just north of Sacramento all the way to the Oregon border.
Known for his frequent speeches on the House floor regarding both local and national topics, he played a key role in helping GOP leadership manage chamber proceedings. His committee assignments included Transportation and Natural Resources, and he served on the House Agriculture Committee, where he chaired the subcommittee overseeing forestry.
LaMalfa had intended to seek another term, even facing significant obstacles after a Democratic-backed ballot measure approved by California voters in November redrew district lines. The changes were expected to complicate reelection efforts for him and four other Republicans.
The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the Democratic governor will need to schedule a special election to fill the vacancy. This contest could take place as late as June, coinciding with the state’s 2026 midterm primary.
Championing rural needs and fire safety
Associates, staff, and friends described LaMalfa as deeply committed to his constituents, often driving great distances to address critical regional matters like water infrastructure and wildfire defense.
“He would show up at the smallest events that were important in people’s lives in this district,” said David Reade, a former chief of staff from LaMalfa’s time in the state legislature. “He would drive literally hundreds and hundreds of miles to be there.”
Mark Spannagel, his chief of staff since 2002, remembered the congressman as a “deeply funny guy” with a passion for automobiles, often arriving at events with grease-stained hands. He also noted LaMalfa’s love for “Austin Powers” films and classic rock music.
“He’s probably one of the most normal people in Congress, down to earth,” Spannagel said in a telephone interview. “You want to sit there and have an iced tea with him.”
To support a single constituent, LaMalfa once visited multiple Veterans Affairs offices in Washington, according to Spannagel. He also made a point of holding town halls in smaller communities to ensure broader access for residents.
“Just because, ‘Why not? We’re gonna go do them. We’re gonna be there. Let those people be heard, too,'” Spannagel added. “It’s not all about the biggest city or the biggest town.”
State Assembly member James Gallagher, who viewed LaMalfa as a “big brother,” noted that advocating for wildfire victims and prevention was among the congressman’s top priorities.
Following the devastation of the 2018 Camp Fire—the deadliest in California history—LaMalfa pushed for better forest management and increased water storage. In 2024, he successfully passed legislation signed by President Joe Biden that exempted wildfire relief payments from federal income taxes.
However, his staunch loyalty to Trump occasionally alienated voters. During the last election cycle, some constituents sought to unseat him over his support for Trump’s overhaul of rural resources, food assistance, and health care, leading to hostile receptions at several town halls last year.
Richard Hudson, Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, praised LaMalfa as “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,” Hudson stated. “Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service.”
According to a recent C-SPAN analysis, LaMalfa was one of the most vocal members of the House, entering remarks into the record on 81 separate days in 2025—a frequency surpassed by only two other lawmakers.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries requested a moment of silence for LaMalfa at the Capitol on Tuesday, opening a panel discussion marking the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack.