Republican Doug LaMalfa, a California rice farmer who served seven terms in the U.S. House and consistently backed President Donald Trump’s agenda with his votes, has passed away at 65.
His death narrows the Republicans’ hold on the House to 218 seats versus the Democrats’ 213.
The congressman suffered a medical emergency Monday night and was transported to a local hospital, where he died during a surgical procedure, the Butte County sheriff’s office announced Tuesday. Officials have not disclosed the cause of his death.
Trump shared “tremendous sorrow” over LaMalfa’s passing while addressing a meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday, grieving the loss of a lawmaker he hailed as an ally. He noted the late congressman “wasn’t a 3 o’clock in the morning person” like other legislators he’d call in the early hours to lobby for votes.
“He voted with me 100% of the time,” Trump said. “With Doug, I never had to call.”
Longtime public servant
LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer, was elected to Congress in 2012 after serving in the state Legislature. He represented California’s 1st District, which covers a vast swath of Northern California, stretching from the Oregon border south to just north of the capital, Sacramento.
He was a regular presence on the House floor, helping GOP leadership open the chamber and frequently sharing his views on local and national issues. He served on the House Agriculture Committee and chaired a subcommittee with authority over forestry matters. He also sat on committees focused on transportation and natural resources.
LaMalfa had planned to run for reelection despite his district being dramatically redrawn under a measure approved by California voters in November. The redistricting plan, backed by Democrats, was designed to make it harder for LaMalfa and four other Republicans to win reelection.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, must call a special election to replace LaMalfa, his office said. The vote could take place as late as June, when California holds its primary for the 2026 midterm elections.
A focus on rural issues, wildfire prevention
LaMalfa’s colleagues, staff and friends said he cared deeply about his district, often driving long distances to check in with constituents and working on key local priorities like wildfire prevention and water storage.
“He would show up at the smallest events that mattered in people’s lives here,” recalled David Reade, a former chief of staff for LaMalfa during his state Legislature tenure. “He’d drive literally hundreds and hundreds of miles to be there.”
His current chief of staff, Mark Spannagel—who started working for him in 2002—described LaMalfa as a “deeply funny guy.” He was obsessed with cars, often arriving at events with grease under his fingernails, and loved classic rock and the “Austin Powers” movies, Spannagel said.
“He’s probably one of the most normal, down-to-earth people in Congress,” he said in a phone interview. “You’d want to sit and have an iced tea with him.”
Spannagel said LaMalfa once visited multiple Veterans Affairs offices in Washington to advocate for a constituent. He also hosted town halls and political events in small towns across his district to connect with more residents.
“Just because, ‘Why not? We’re gonna go do them. We’re gonna be there. Let those people be heard, too,’” he said. “It’s not all about the biggest city or town.”
State Assembly member James Gallagher—who called LaMalfa his “big brother”—said one of the congressman’s top priorities was advocating for wildfire mitigation and protecting victims.
LaMalfa successfully passed legislation in 2024 exempting wildfire relief payments from federal income taxes. The bill came after parts of his district were ravaged by one of the worst wildfires in state history in 2018. President Joe Biden signed it into law. LaMalfa also pushed for more water storage and increased forest management to reduce wildfire risks.
But LaMalfa’s unwavering support for Trump has frustrated some voters in recent years. Some hoped to unseat him in the midterm election over his vote for Trump’s plan to overhaul health care, food assistance and other rural resources. LaMalfa faced yelling and booing at several town halls last year.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson called LaMalfa “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 said. “Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service.”
C-SPAN noted in a recent compilation that LaMalfa delivered at least one set of remarks for the record on 81 days in 2025. Only two other lawmakers spoke more frequently on the House floor.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called for a moment of silence honoring LaMalfa at the start of a Capitol panel commemorating the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
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Catalini reported from Trenton, N.J., and Freking from Washington. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.