GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa Of California Dies At 65

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Tom Williams via Getty Images

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term U.S. representative from California and a reliable vote on President Donald Trump’s agenda, has died, reducing the GOP’s narrow control of the House. He was 65.

A former state lawmaker and rice farmer, LaMalfa had more than a dozen years in Congress, where he regularly helped GOP leaders open the House floor and frequently gave speeches. His death, confirmed by Majority Whip Tom Emmer and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, trims the Republicans’ margin of control of the House to 218 seats to Democrats’ 213.

Trump expressed “tremendous sorrow” over LaMalfa’s death on Tuesday as he addressed a meeting of House Republicans, lamenting the loss of a lawmaker he championed as an ally for his agenda.

“I was really saddened by his passing,” Trump said.

The president said he considered not giving the speech to honor LaMalfa but decided to go ahead with it “because he would have wanted it that way.”

pic.twitter.com/NsnxZsp2W3

— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) January 6, 2026

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Tom Emmer","author_url":"https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip","cache_age":86400,"description":"Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 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. pic.twitter.com/NsnxZsp2W3— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) January 6, 2026nnn","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1365,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G9_JRchXAAAuDZ_.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":2048,"title":"Tom Emmer on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/2008545427080311026","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://www.huffpost.com","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"695d2478e4b04774721ef220","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rep-doug-lamalfa-california-dies-65_n_695d2478e4b04774721ef220","entryTagsList":"california,republicans,politics-news,obituaries,doug-lamalfa,@ap_wire_import,@flexpro_1473658_10998825,@flexpro_resolved,@nosyndication,@us_huffpost_now,@wire","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22","noAdsPlayer":"deeeda04-49cb-4a1d-ac6c-c388a685b58e","defaultPlaylist":"e6bd3834-72ef-4c3d-8374-8a80e3b0d7f8"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":5},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"695d2478e4b04774721ef220","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"California","slug":"california","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/california","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/california","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/california"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"U.S. News","slug":"us-news"},"topic":{"title":"California","slug":"california","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/california"},{"name":"Republicans","slug":"republicans","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/republicans","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/republicans","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/republicans"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Republican Party","slug":"republican-party","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/republican-party"},{"name":" politics news","slug":"politics-news","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/politics-news","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/politics-news","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/politics-news"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Politics News","slug":"politics-news","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/politics-news"},{"name":"Obituaries","slug":"obituaries","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/obituaries","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/obituaries","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/obituaries"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Media","slug":"media"},"topic":{"title":"Obituaries","slug":"obituary","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/obituary"},{"name":"Doug LaMalfa","slug":"doug-lamalfa","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/doug-lamalfa","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa"},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"signInUrl":"https://login.huffpost.com/login?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Frep-doug-lamalfa-california-dies-65_n_695d2478e4b04774721ef220%3Fhp_auth_done%3D1","cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["

rnrn","

rnrn"],"adCount":0,"midArticleAdPartner":null},"isCollectionEmbed":false}”>

Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 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. pic.twitter.com/NsnxZsp2W3

— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) January 6, 2026

Trump said the late congressman “wasn’t a 3 o’clock in the morning person” like other lawmakers he would call in the wee hours to lobby for their votes.

“He voted with me 100% of the time,” Trump said. “With Doug, I never had to call.”

Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called for a moment of silence in honor of LaMalfa at the start of a panel at the Capitol commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

Details surrounding LaMalfa’s death were unclear.

David Reade, a former chief of staff of LaMalfa’s from the state legislature, became emotional remembering LaMalfa, who he said was committed to his district and proud of his family and Christian faith.

“One of my great memories of Doug is that, you know, he would show up at the smallest events that were important in people’s lives in this district,” Reade said in a phone interview. “Whether it was a birthday, it was, you, know, a family gathering, it was the smallest organization in his district, and he would drive literally hundreds and hundreds of miles to be there.”

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) (2nd L) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) (R) listen to Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) (L) during an announcement at the Department of Health and Human Services on December 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Alex Wong via Getty Images

January 6, 2026

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Rep. Steve Womack","author_url":"https://twitter.com/rep_stevewomack","cache_age":86400,"description":"I am saddened to hear about the sudden passing of my friend, Representative Doug LaMalfa. He was a committed and honorable member of Congress, dedicated to serving Northern California and all of rural America. He will be greatly missed in the House Chamber, and my prayers are…— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) January 6, 2026nnn","options":{"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Rep. Steve Womack on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/rep_stevewomack/status/2008548972994973770","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://www.huffpost.com","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"695d2478e4b04774721ef220","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rep-doug-lamalfa-california-dies-65_n_695d2478e4b04774721ef220","entryTagsList":"california,republicans,politics-news,obituaries,doug-lamalfa,@ap_wire_import,@flexpro_1473658_10998825,@flexpro_resolved,@nosyndication,@us_huffpost_now,@wire","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22","noAdsPlayer":"deeeda04-49cb-4a1d-ac6c-c388a685b58e","defaultPlaylist":"e6bd3834-72ef-4c3d-8374-8a80e3b0d7f8"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":5},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"695d2478e4b04774721ef220","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"California","slug":"california","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/california","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/california","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/california"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"U.S. News","slug":"us-news"},"topic":{"title":"California","slug":"california","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/california"},{"name":"Republicans","slug":"republicans","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/republicans","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/republicans","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/republicans"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Republican Party","slug":"republican-party","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/republican-party"},{"name":" politics news","slug":"politics-news","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/politics-news","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/politics-news","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/politics-news"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Politics News","slug":"politics-news","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/politics-news"},{"name":"Obituaries","slug":"obituaries","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/obituaries","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/obituaries","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/obituaries"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Media","slug":"media"},"topic":{"title":"Obituaries","slug":"obituary","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/obituary"},{"name":"Doug LaMalfa","slug":"doug-lamalfa","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/doug-lamalfa","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa"},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/doug-lamalfa"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"signInUrl":"https://login.huffpost.com/login?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Frep-doug-lamalfa-california-dies-65_n_695d2478e4b04774721ef220%3Fhp_auth_done%3D1","cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["

rnrn","

rnrn"],"adCount":0,"midArticleAdPartner":null},"isCollectionEmbed":false}”>

I am saddened to hear about the sudden passing of my friend, Representative Doug LaMalfa. He was a committed and honorable member of Congress, dedicated to serving Northern California and all of rural America. He will be greatly missed in the House Chamber, and my prayers are…

— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) January 6, 2026

LaMalfa represented Northern California’s 1st District, along the Oregon border, including Redding and reaching just north of Sacramento. He had planned to run for reelection despite his district being dramatically redrawn under a ballot measure passed by California voters in November. The measure, backed by Democrats, was designed to make it harder for LaMalfa and four other Republicans to win reelection.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, must call a special election to replace LaMalfa, his office said. The election could happen as late as June, when California will hold its primary for the 2026 midterm.

Hudson, the NRCC chairman, called LaMalfa “a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California.”

“He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families,” Hudson said. “Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service.”

First elected to Congress in 2012, he was a regular presence on the House floor, helping GOP leadership open the chamber and offer his view local and national affairs.

GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa Of California Dies At 65

Related Posts

Calls for Keir Starmer to face sleaze inquiry over Mandelson branded ‘political video games’

NINE DAYS THAT SHOOK BRITAIN Inside the General Strike 100 years on as institution ‘bullied’ staff

Treasury warned new tax dangers job losses in hard-pressed coastal communities

Washington Hilton Hotel safety slammed as ‘minimal’ over Trump taking pictures chaos

Who is Cole Tomas Allen? White House Correspondents’ Dinner taking pictures suspect in custody

Donald Trump’s four-word takedown of would-be murderer as pictures fired at White House Correspondents’ dinner

Brits face larger costs for eight months after Iran struggle ends, warns high minister