Doug LaMalfa, GOP representative from California, dead at 65
"Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America," said his House and party colleague Tom Emmer.
LaMalfa speaks in Congress
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) has died at the age of 65, GOP sources confirmed. In his seventh term as a lawmaker, the Republican had previously served as a state senator and assemblyman, and he came from a longtime farming family.
"Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa," U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer posted on X. "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."
Donald Trump used the GOP representatives' retreat to dedicate a few words to LaMalfa, "a great, great, great member" of the House.
"He was the leader of the Western Caucus. A fierce champion on California water issues and a true defender of American children. He was a defender of everybody," the president shared. "Our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family. I was really saddened by his passing... He was a fantastic person."
Rep. Jay Obernolte, also a member of the Western Caucus, asserted that the late congressman had served "with integrity, conviction, and a passionate commitment to the residents of the rural West." "I will always remember him for his dedication to public service and his unwavering advocacy for the people he served," he assured.
From the other side of the partisan divide, messages of farewell and admiration were also heard. California State Senator Mike McGuire, who aspired to unseat LaMalfa in the upcoming election, expressed his "deepest condolences," assuring that "public service is a noble calling, regardless of party, and Congressman LaMalfa’s dedication to serving the people of California deserves recognition, respect and gratitude."
Nationally, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff assured that he considered the late representative to be "a friend and partner." "Above all, he was deeply committed to his community and constituents, working to make life better for those he represented," he wrote on X. "Doug’s life was one of great service and he will be deeply missed."
Doug LaMalfa, a career serving farmers
LaMalfa was born in Oroville, California in 1960. A fourth-generation rice farmer, he earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture and business from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
He served in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and in the California State Senate from 2010 to 2012, where he became minority leader. He assumed California's 1st Congressional District in 2013, a position he held until his death this week.
His priority was always agriculture, which he was proud to both practice on his own land and advocate for in Congress. "Part of my job is to make sure we can keep farming, it’s an obligation I have," he maintained in words picked up by Western Growers, a group representing farmers in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico.
When asked about the future of agriculture, he replied, "People got to eat, and they always will!"
Republican majority to adjust even further
Hours earlier the GOP had lost one more seat, with the previously announced resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene, who left the party after distancing herself from President Trump.
In the coming months the Republican situation could get even worse: the electoral calendar anticipates at least two elections slanted towards the Blues. In Texas, two Democrats are vying for the seat left vacant by the death of Sylvester Turner. Whoever wins, the Democratic counter in Congress will rise to 214.
This April will also see the election to replace New Jersey's governor-elect, Mikie Sherrill. The district leans Democratic, Sherrill won her last campaign by 15 points.
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