Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
California Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa died Tuesday, his office announced. He was 65 years old.
“Early this morning, Congressman Doug LaMalfa returned home to be with the Lord. He left a lasting legacy of servant-leadership and kindness in the Upstate,” Mark Spanagel, LaMalfa’s chief of staff, said in a statement. “Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply about the people he served and worked tirelessly to keep his government’s word to restore crumbling forests, build water reservoirs, and ensure people were free to choose what was best for them.”
LaMalfa’s death could tighten the razor-thin House majority and jeopardize House Speaker Mike Johnson’s control. After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) resigned on Monday, the House now has 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats. LaMalfa’s death leaves the number of Republicans in the House of Representatives at 218.
Democrats are likely to pick up additional seats in special elections in the coming months. Two Democratic senators will hold run-off elections in Texas later this month, and an election to replace Mikie Sherrill, currently elected governor of New Jersey, will be held later this year.
Mr. LaMalfa has represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013 and served as Chairman of the Western Congressional Caucus.
The cause of death has not been made public.
Mr. LaMalfa, a rice farmer by trade, was a key figure in California’s water issues and served on the House Natural Resources and Agriculture committees. He also served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
But his electoral prospects became increasingly in jeopardy in 2026 after California adopted a new congressional map that favored Democrats.
“This morning, Congress is devastated to learn of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Doug LaMalfa,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). “He was a fierce seeker of the state’s vast natural resources and beauty, unlike anything we have ever known.”
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York also expressed his condolences to LaMalfa.
“A fourth-generation rice farmer, Congressman LaMalfa cared for his community, worked forcefully to protect California farmers, and served the people he represented with principled purpose, from the state legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives,” Jeffries said.
President Donald Trump paid tribute to LaMalfa in remarks before the House Republican conference on Tuesday.
“He was a great guy,” Trump said. “He voted for me 100 percent.”
“I am devastated by the sudden loss of my friend Rep. Doug LaMalfa,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said in a post on X.
“Doug was a loving father and husband and a passionate advocate for voters and rural America,” Emmer said.
The cause of death has not been made public.
California Governor Gavin Newsom currently has 14 days to announce a special election to replace LaMalfa, in accordance with California election law. In that case, an election would have to be held within 140 days of Mr. Newsom’s declaration, and the election to replace Mr. LaMalfa could be pushed back to June.
Jeffries held a moment of silence for LaMalfa before a Democratic hearing on the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
“A great congressman from the great state of California,” Jeffries said.
This story is developing. Please check back for the latest information.
Correction: There are 213 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This fact was incorrectly stated in a previous version of this article.
