Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California Dies   01/06 10:00

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term U.S. representative 
from California and a reliable vote on President Donald Trump's agenda, has 
died, reducing the GOP's narrow control of the House. He was 65.

   His death, confirmed by Majority Whip Tom Emmer and National Republican 
Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, trims the Republicans' margin 
of control of the House to 218 seats to Democrats' 213.

   Trump expressed "tremendous sorrow" over LaMalfa's death on Tuesday as he 
addressed a meeting of House Republicans, lamenting the loss of a lawmaker he 
championed as an ally for his agenda.

   "I was really saddened by his passing," Trump said.

   The president said he considered not giving the speech to honor LaMalfa but 
decided to go ahead with it "because he would have wanted it that way."

   Trump said the late congressman "wasn't a 3 o'clock in the morning person" 
like other lawmakers he would call in the wee hours to lobby for their votes.

   "He voted with me 100% of the time," Trump said. "With Doug, I never had to 
call."

   Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called for a 
moment of silence in honor of LaMalfa at the start of a panel at the Capitol 
commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

   Details surrounding LaMalfa's death were unclear.

   LaMalfa represented Northern California's 1st District, along the Oregon 
border, including Redding and reaching just north of Sacramento. He had planned 
to run for reelection despite his district being dramatically redrawn under a 
ballot measure passed by California voters in November. The measure, 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 election could happen as late as June, 
when California will hold its primary for the 2026 midterm.

   Hudson, the NRCC chairman, 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."

   LaMalfa, a former state lawmaker and rice farmer, was first elected to 
Congress in 2012. He was a regular presence on the House floor, helping GOP 
leadership open the chamber and offer his view of local and national affairs.

   C-SPAN in a recent compilation said he gave at least one set of remarks for 
the record on 81 days in 2025. Only two other lawmakers spoke on the House 
floor more frequently.