California GOP Congressman Doug LaMalfa, 65, Dies During Emergency Surgery, Jeopardizing Republican House Majority
RICHVALE, Calif. — U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a longtime Republican congressman from Northern California and fourth-generation rice farmer, died Monday night at age 65 while undergoing emergency surgery following a medical emergency at his home.[1][2][3]
LaMalfa’s sudden death narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to a razor-thin 218-213 margin, coming just hours after the resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and heightening tensions in a divided Congress.[1][2]
Medical Emergency and Timeline
Emergency responders from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office arrived at LaMalfa’s residence in Richvale—a small town of about 300 people west of Oroville—at 6:50 p.m. Monday after a 911 call.[1] The congressman was rushed to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, where he suffered a heart attack and aneurysm during surgery. He passed away at 3:20 a.m. PST on January 6, 2026.[3]
An autopsy is planned to determine the official cause of death, officials said. The precise nature of the initial medical emergency has not been publicly disclosed.[1][2]
A Reagan Conservative and Farm Advocate
Born July 2, 1960, Douglas Lee LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District—a vast rural expanse covering much of interior Northern California, including Chico, Redding, and Susanville—since 2013.[3] He served seven terms, consistently winning reelection by wide margins, including a 30-point victory over his Democratic challenger in 2024.[1]
A reliable ally of former President Donald Trump, LaMalfa voted with the administration 100% of the time, earning praise from Trump as a lawmaker who required no late-night lobbying calls.[2] “With Doug, I never had to call,” Trump remarked Tuesday while addressing House Republicans, expressing “tremendous sorrow” over the loss.[2]
LaMalfa was a fixture on the House floor and held key committee roles, including on the House Agriculture Committee, where he chaired a subcommittee on forestry issues. He also served on committees addressing transportation and natural resources.[2] One of his final pushes was reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools Act, a program providing funding to rural school districts amid ongoing fiscal battles in Congress.[1]
Prior to Congress, LaMalfa served in the California State Assembly, where he championed pro-gun legislation. In 2007, he authored AB 1645, preventing firearm seizures during emergencies—the first such law signed in a decade—and was named Legislator of the Year by the California Rifle and Pistol Association.[3]
Political Fallout and Special Election
LaMalfa’s passing exacerbates challenges for House Republicans, whose slim majority now hangs by just two votes on party-line issues.[1][2] His district faces uncertainty after California voters approved Proposition 50 in November 2024, redrawing boundaries in a Democrat-backed move to unseat LaMalfa and four other GOP incumbents.[1][2]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is required to call a special election to fill the vacancy. The contest could align with the June 2026 primary for midterm elections, though the replacement’s term will be short-lived.[2][5] Newsom’s office confirmed the process Tuesday.[2]
Tributes from Across the Aisle
Leaders from both parties mourned LaMalfa. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) described him as a “devoted husband, dedicated father to four beautiful children, and newfound grandfather,” praising his Reagan-era conservatism focused on limited government, low taxes, and traditional values.[1]
California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff called LaMalfa “a friend and partner,” noting his deep commitment to constituents.[1] Gov. Newsom echoed the sentiment: “Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care.” Flags at the State Capitol will fly at half-staff in his honor.[4]
LaMalfa’s death drew attention to his stances on divisive issues, including being the sole California Republican to support amendments cutting Ukraine aid in 2023.[3]
Legacy in Agriculture and Rural Advocacy
As a rice farmer from Richvale, LaMalfa was a steadfast champion for agriculture, particularly in California’s rural heartland. His work on forestry and natural resources reflected the needs of his district, which spans timberlands and farmland.[2]
Despite political shifts like the district redraw, LaMalfa had planned to run again, undeterred by the challenges.[2]
His passing leaves a void in Congress and his community, where he was remembered as a principled conservative dedicated to rural America. As the special election looms, the political battle for California’s 1st District could reshape the national balance of power.[1][5]
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