WASHINGTON, DC–GOP Congressional District 1 lawmaker Doug LaMalfa dies at 65 in a hospital in Chico of a heart attack that occurred during surgery to treat an aneurysm. He is survived by his wife, Jill, and four children. He was an owner and manager of DSL LaMalfa Family Partnership, which owns and operates the family rice farm in Richvale, California.

Under California law, Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to set a date for a special election. He could set the date as soon as mid-May, though he could also schedule it to coincide with the state’s June 2 primary. The winner would serve out LaMalfa’s term under current district lines. His death brings House Republicans’ majority down to 218-213 in the second half of the 119th Congress.

LaMalfa was known as a champion of conservative causes and known for his expertise on water and forestry issues. He sat on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees during his seven terms in Congress.

The fourth-generation rice farmer from Richvalle in Butte County was serving his seventh term representing District 1, a rural district in northeast California, which was targeted by Democrats in last November’s Prop. 50 vote which passed statewide with 7.4 million votes (64.4%) yes vs. 4.1 million votes (35.6%) no.

Current District 1 boundaries go to the northeast corner of California and include both Chico and Redding (the remote corners of Modoc County in the northeast to the Klamath National Forest in the west).

The new District 1 boundaries would still include Chico (42 percent are registered Democrats vs. 28 percent registered Republicans) but would also include Santa Rosa, a Democratic stronghold in the Bay Area. However, Modoc would remain with Siskiyou and Shasta counties (including Redding) but also be lumped in with Marin County on the coast in the new 2nd district. 

The previous California district map had been designed by an independent redistricting commission to group countries that rely on natural resources–like ranching, timber and farming.  Congressman Doug LaMalfa had warned that “Proposition 50 could silence California’s rural voices.”  Shasta County voters soundly defeated the measure by voting almost 71 percent no (46,691 votes) with only 29 percent voting yes (19,138 votes).

Early Life and California Assembly Career

Doug LaMalfa was born in Oroville on July 2, 1960. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1982. Twenty years later he ran for the California State Assembly in the 2nd District and won the general election with 67 percent of the vote. He was related for three more terms (2004, 2006, 2008). 

As a California assemblyman he was an early supporter of Proposition 209 which ended affirmative action in California. He worked for passage of Proposition 22, Protection of Marriage Act, which banned same-sex marriage in California and again worked for a state initiative, Proposition 8, which would overturn the California Supreme Court decision that overturned the same-sex marriage ban. 

LaMalfa was co-author of ACA 20, which would empower law enforcement to act as Immigration, Customs Enforcement Agents and would have cracked down on illegal immigration.

In 2007, LaMalfa successfully passed AB 1645, a law that would prevent seizures of firearms in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. This was the first pro-gun legislation passed and signed into law in a decade. He was named the California Rifle and Pistol Association’s “Legislator of the Year” for 2007.

California Senator Career

In 2010, LaMalfa ran for the California State Senate in the 4th District. He won the general election with a vote of 68 percent.

Positions:

• Opposed the “bullet train” in 2011.
• Opposed a bill that would require California public school history teachers to teach the history of homosexuality and gay civil rights.

Congressional Career 

LaMalfa ran in the newly created District 1 in 2012 and won the Congressional seat with 57 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2014 with 61 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2016 with 59 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2018 with 55 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2020 with 57 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2022 with 62 percent of the vote. LaMalfa won in 2024 with 65 percent of the vote.

Some Issues

• LaMalfa most recently spoke out against the growing wolf population in the North State.

• LaMalfa supported the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
• In 2015, co-sponsored a resolution to amend the Consitution to ban same-sex marriage.
• Voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
• LaMalfa voted against the first impeachment of Donald J. Trump. 
• June 2021 voted against legislation to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

(one of 14 House Republicans. The measure passed the Senate 100-0.)

• Endorsed the First Amendment Defense Act which he said would “protect the nonprofit status of religious institutions if the federal government tried to compel them to act against their faith.”
• In September 2021, was among 75 House Republicans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 which contained a provision that would require women to be drafted.
• LaMalfa voiced support for nuclear power on June 8, 2022.
• On July 19, 2022 voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would protect the right to same-sex marriage at a federal level.
• In August 2023, LaMalfa was the sole California Republican to vote in favor of Amendment 22 of H.R. 2670 to prohibit all security assistance to Ukraine. He was also the only California Republican to vote for Amendment 21 to cancel $300 million of assistance for Ukraine.

Tributes To LaMalfa

• President Donald Trump expressed sorrow, calling LaMalfa a “great member” and a “fierce champion” for California’s water issues.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Congress is devastated by the loss of LaMalfa, highlighting his dedication to California’s natural resources.
• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN): “Jacquie and I are devastated by the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 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.”
• National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC): “Doug was a principled conservative and tireless advocate for the people of Northern California. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service.”
• California Family Council President and CEO Jonathan Keller: “I am truly heartbroken to hear of the passing of my friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. He was a rare blend of fierce and funny. Whether it was defending pregnancy centers on the steps of SCOTUS in the pouring rain, pushing back against men’s invasion of women’s sports, or fighting to protect children from irreversible gender procedures, Doug was the epitome of a ‘happy warrior.’ Our prayers are with his family and friends, and we are grateful we will see him again one day.”
• Riley Gaines, Former NCAA Swimmer & Women’s Sports Advocate: “I’m devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Congressman LaMalfa. He was one of the good ones & a real friend to me. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. This one hurts.”
• Rep. Young Kim, (R-CA): “Doug was not only a respected colleague in the California Republican Delegation, but a genuinely kind, decent man who treated everyone with warmth and respect. His leadership, friendship, and steady presence will be deeply missed.”
• California Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-1): “Congressman Doug LaMalfa dedicated his life to public service and to fighting for the people of Northern California. From agriculture and water to wildlife mitigation, forestry, and rural infrastructure, Doug understood the challenges facing our counties because he lived them. Doug LaMalfa was no ordinary Washington figure. He was a  man rooted in the land, shaped by rural life, and proud to carry those values with him every day. He didn’t perform rural life–he lived it, and he wore it with pride.”
• Gov. Gavin Newsom: “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. He will be deeply missed.”

Rep. Doug LaMalfa had no intention of getting into politics. He started out by putting up posters in his spare time for a cousin who was running for county supervisor. “I was happy to be the sign guy,” LaMalfa told the Washington Examiner, noting that he worked his way up to putting up signs for candidates running for Congress, governor, and even president.

LaMalfa eventually moved from campaigning for others to running himself.

(Editor’s Note: In honor of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, flags at the State Capitol will be flown at half-staff in accordance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s order.)