Northern California mourns the death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, 65. A Republican, LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013, covering northeastern California from Oroville to the Oregon border. KCRA 3 reported that GOP officials confirmed his death on Tuesday. A fourth-generation rice farmer, LaMalfa was a strong advocate for agriculture and rural communities.
LaMalfa served in both the California State Assembly and State Senate before his time in Congress. In 2025, he was elected chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson called him a “principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California,” dedicated to “fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families.” LaMalfa’s death narrows the GOP majority in the House to 218 Republicans against 213 Democrats, with four vacancies, CBS News Sacramento reported.
Colleagues across the political spectrum expressed grief at LaMalfa’s passing. Democratic Congressman John Garamendi, who also represented the Sacramento Valley, said, “I'm certainly going to miss him as a friend and colleague,” noting their bipartisan work on water and agriculture. KCRA 3 reported that despite political differences, many lawmakers respected and valued LaMalfa.
LaMalfa’s cause of death was not disclosed. Former President Trump remembered him as a “fantastic person” and a “great, great member,” adding, “He was a defender of everybody, and our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family,” CBS News Sacramento reported. LaMalfa’s district is one of five in California redrawn under Proposition 50 to create more competitive elections.
Colleagues and officials have paid tribute to LaMalfa’s commitment to public service. As of this writing, his office had not released a statement. He was known for his work supporting California’s farmers and rural communities.
