Rep. Doug LaMalfa, the California Republican who served in Congress for seven terms, has died at the age of 65.
LaMalfa’s death was confirmed by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.
The congressman’s death sent shockwaves through his district in rural, conservative Northern California and Washington, D.C.
He was closely aligned with President Donald Trump, and his death narrows the already slim Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Here’s what to know.
How did Doug LaMalfa die?
LaMalfa’s cause of death has not yet been determined, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office reported in a social media post on Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office said it received a 911 call at 6:50 p.m. Monday from LaMalfa’s home reporting a medical emergency.
LaMalfa was taken to Enloe Heath in Chico and immediately underwent emergency surgery, the sheriff’s office said. He died in surgery.
The sheriff’s office said its coroner’s unit will investigate LaMalfa’s death, which will include an autopsy conducted by a forensic pathologist.
“The Butte County Sheriff’s Office expresses its deepest condolences to the LaMalfa family during this difficult time,” the agency’s post reads.
LaMalfa’s office said in a statement that the congressman “leaves a lasting legacy of service, leadership and kindness to the North State.”
LaMalfa is survived by his wife Jill, four children, one grandchild and two sisters, according to the statement.
What happens to Doug LaMalfa’s seat?
Vacancies caused by the death of a representative in the U.S. House are filled by special elections, according to Congress.gov. This process is guided by the state where the member died.
State governors typically call special elections to fill these vacancies, the congressional website states.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will call a special election to replace LaMalfa, reported The Associated Press, citing Newsom’s office. He has 14 days to do so, CalMatters reported, citing state election law. The election may happen in June when the state holds its primary for the 2026 midterm election.
Will the special election use California’s new congressional district maps?
The special election to fill the remainder of LaMalfa’s term will not use the new congressional district lines that favor Democrats and were approved by voters in November as part of Proposition 50, CalMatters reported.
Instead, the existing congressional map for California’s 1st District that stretches from Yuba County to the Oregon border will be used. It includes the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama.
LaMalfa’s district was redrawn as part of Prop. 50, and the new maps will be used starting later this year, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.
What did Donald Trump say about Doug LaMalfa’s death?
Trump sent his thoughts to LaMalfa’s family in a speech Tuesday to House Republicans, USA TODAY reported.
“I was really saddened by his passing,” Trump said, according to the paper. “Our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family.”
Trump said LaMalfa was an ally who could be counted on to vote for his legislative agenda.
“With Doug, I never had to call,” Trump said.
LaMalfa’s support for Trump included aligning with the president’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and rejecting the Electoral College results in Arizona and Pennsylvania in the 2020 election, which saw Democrat Joe Biden defeat Trump.
Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, called LaMalfa a “principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California,” according to The Associated Press.
What did Gavin Newsom say about Doug LaMalfa?
Newsom called LaMalfa a “devoted public servant” who loved working for his community, state and country.
“While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care,” Newsom said in a social media post. “He will be deeply missed.”
How will Doug LaMalfa’s death affect the balance of power in Congress?
LaMalfa’s death narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House to 218 Republicans to 213 Democrats, reported The Associated Press. This means legislation supported by Trump and other Republicans may have a harder time getting passed.
Who is Doug LaMalfa?
Doug LaMalfa was a politician, rice farmer and business owner who represented California’s 1st Congressional District. He was first elected in 2012.
LaMalfa was born in Oroville, California, on July 2, 1960, according to his congressional biography. He graduated from Biggs High School in 1978. He received an associate’s degree from Butte College and a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
He served in the California State Assembly from 2002-2008, and the State Senate from 2010-2012.
He began his first term in Congress on Jan. 3, 2013.
