Doug LaMalfa, California Republican congressman, dead at 65

Northern California U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a longtime fixture of conservative politics in the North State, died early Tuesday morning, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

The District 1 congressman died during a surgical procedure at Enloe Hospital in Chico, sheriff’s spokesperson Megan McMann confirmed in a statement to the Record Searchlight.

LaMalfa had been taken to the hospital after the sheriff’s office received a 911 call at approximately 6:50 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5 from LaMalfa’s home. The caller reported a medical emergency, according to McMann. First responders took LaMalfa to the hospital and rushed into emergency surgery.

“In accordance with standard protocols, the Coroner’s Unit … is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death. A forensic pathologist is scheduled to conduct an autopsy as part of this investigation,” according to the statement.

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin confirmed the North State lawmaker from Butte County was 65.

“I’m heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa,” Rankin said in a statement Tuesday. “Doug served Northern California with steady grit, a great sense of humor, and a genuine love for the people he represented. He was widely respected and deeply beloved by those who knew and worked with him. May God comfort his wife Jill, their children Kyle, Allison, Sophia, and Natalie, and give strength to his staff, friends, and all who loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”

LaMalfa’s Congressional District 1 spanned the northeast corner of the state and included Shasta and Siskiyou counties. The North State politician was elected to the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. 

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“Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa,” Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer posted on social media Tuesday. “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.”

While they clashed on the political front, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) expressed on social media his appreciation for LaMalfa’s quarter-century career as a California politician: “Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care. He will be deeply missed. Jennifer and I are holding Doug’s family, loved ones, and colleagues in our thoughts as California mourns his passing.”

With LaMalfa’s death and Marjorie Taylor Green’s resignation from Congress last year, the House GOP majority falls to 218-213, according to USA TODAY.

The fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner “attended local schools and grew up learning the value of hard work and community service,” according to his online biography.

Redistricting threw LaMalfa’s political future into question

LaMalfa was an ardent supporter of President Trump and critic of Newsom.

California voters’ approval of Proposition 50 in the November 2025 election put the GOP congressman’s political future in question as it placed conservative counties like Shasta and Siskiyou in a different district and added traditionally Democratic-supported communities.

LaMalfa criticized the governor-backed Prop 50, intended to redraw California’s congressional districts in favor of Democrats as a response to Texas’ redistricting efforts intended to favor Republicans.

LaMalfa claimed the new district map was “illegally drawn” and “unconstitutional” in a statement: “If you want to know what’s wrong with these maps — just take a look at them. How on earth does Modoc County on the Nevada and Oregon Border have any common interest with Marin County and the Golden Gate Bridge?”

LaMalfa a Northern California farmer, state politician before Washington

LaMalfa was an advocate for ranching and rural issues including water rights for farmers, and for forest and fire management.

Born in Oroville in 1960, he graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

LaMalfa entered the state political arena in the early 2000s, winning the California State Assembly District 2 seat. Constituents reelected him in 2004 and 2006. The politician then won the California State Senate District 4 seat in 2010, serving as the state’s minority whip.

During his tenure with the state, LaMalfa advocated to end affirmative action policies and to ban same-sex marriage.

He won his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, succeeding former Rep. Wally Herger. LaMalfa expressed his excitement by “moonwalking” during the office space lottery for new representatives.

He served continuously until his death, sitting on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

In 2021, LaMalfa joined other GOP representatives in voting against certifying the 2020 presidential election results. He also opposed establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday.

LaMalfa faced contentious town halls over redistricting, immigration and climate policies during the 2025 election.

Reporter Jim Ward contributed to this story.

(This story was updated with new information.)

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.