Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s memorial on Saturday in Chico was largely filled with praise for the fourth-generation rice farmer from Butte County.
"Our country is attacking its own citizens, and LaMalfa was culpable for that, supporting Trump 100% of the way the whole time."- Kevin Shephard, protester
But just outside the gates of the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, a small group of protesters sang a different tune.
Blaring music and holding protest signs that read “Nazi Lives Don’t Matter” and “Resist,” they pointed to LaMalfa’s close alignment with President Donald Trump and his legislative agenda.
Kevin Shephard was one of those protesters.
“The country's falling apart,” Shephard said. “Our country is attacking its own citizens, and LaMalfa was culpable for that, supporting Trump 100% of the way the whole time.”
Shephard linked LaMalfa to Trump’s aggressive immigration policies.
“Supporting ICE … you know, they're violating the Constitution, and he was okay with that,” Shephard said.
LaMalfa died on Jan. 6 from an unspecified medical issue. His memorial was attended by high-ranking lawmakers such as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff.
“He wasn't Hollywood. He just was a hard working guy.”- Michael Moore, memorial attendee
Most of the attendees remembered LaMalfa as a down-to-earth politician who connected with his rural constituents in the North State.
“He's very low key and a very straight shooter,” said Michael Moore, who wore boots and a cowboy hat to the service.
“He wasn't Hollywood,” Moore added. “He just was a hard working guy.”
Many attendees knew LaMalfa through the local chapter of the Republican Party. That included Ellen McCorkle of Glenn County.
“Consequently, you get to know him,” McCorkle said. “Doug and his personality and how tall he is, and he always knows who you are.”
LaMalfa’s personality was also highlighted by Butte County’s top prosecutor, District Attorney Mike Ramsey.
“He's a Republican, I'm a Democrat,” Ramsey said. “But when you would sit down and talk to him, you’d be talking about hunting, fishing, cars, things like that.”
LaMalfa was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012. A special election will decide who serves out the rest of his term, which ends in January 2027.
LaMalfa’s wife Jill LaMalfa has endorsed State Assemblyman James Gallagher. At the memorial, she said Gallagher shares the same values as her late husband and would carry his torch in Congress if elected.
