California — 1st District

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican congressman from California, has died. He was 65.

The Hill and The Associated Press both reported LaMalfa's death, citing confirmation from House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson.

Emmer mourned LaMalfa on X, where he described the congressman's death as a "sudden loss" and said he was "devastated" by the news.

"Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America," he wrote. "Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children."

Hudson said in a statement, “Doug was 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. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service."

His cause of death is unclear. NBC News reported that LaMalfa "appeared in good spirits, joking with his colleagues and reporters" before Congress took a holiday break.

LaMalfa represented Northern California’s 1st District, where he planned to run for reelection even after his district was affected by Proposition 50, a measure passed by California voters in November 2025 that altered the state's U.S. House map.

The redistricting effort was intended to flip conservative House seats blue in the upcoming midterm elections, and was California Gov. Gavin Newsom's counter to President Donald Trump's redistricting campaign in Texas.

After LaMalfa's death, the House has 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats. As such, Republicans in the House now have a thinner margin; if all members are in attendance and voting, Republicans can only lose two of their own on any party line vote.

There are now four open seats in the House. One was just forfeited by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday, Jan. 5; one was formerly held by Rep. Sylvester Turner in Texas — which will be filled in a runoff election on Jan. 31 — and one was vacated by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was elected governor of New Jersey in November 2025. Sherill's seat will be filled in an April 16 special election.

While LaMalfa's death could lead to a special election to fill his vacant seat, it would be more difficult for Republicans to clinch a win in the 1st District after Proposition 50 passed. The new maps created under the proposition will go into effect in the state this fall.

LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer. He began his career in state politics in 2002, when he won a seat in the California state Assembly. He served in state Senate from 2010 to 2012 before he was elected to Congress.

In a bio on his website, LaMalfa is described as "a strong advocate for limited, constitutionally grounded government, fiscal restraint, and lower taxes."

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The bio also includes the late congressman's philosophy on government.