REACTIONS POURED IN Tuesday from national, state and local leaders following the death of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.
The National Republican Congressional Committee announced Tuesday that LaMalfa, 65, had died. His office later confirmed his death, calling it “tragic and unexpected.”
According to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, LaMalfa was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico on Monday evening for an undisclosed medical emergency. He was undergoing emergency surgery when he died. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.
What LaMalfa’s death means for Northern California
LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District, a vast and largely rural region encompassing 10 counties in northeastern California, including the cities of Chico, Redding and Yuba City.
His death further narrows the Republicans’ control of the U.S. House of Representatives to 218 seats, compared with Democrats’ 213.
It also raises into question who will ultimately represent the 1st District, which was already set to change due to Proposition 50, a voter-approved redistricting measure expected to reshape several Northern California congressional seats ahead of the 2026 elections.
Under the proposed map, the 1st District would lose conservative strongholds like Redding and Modoc County, while gaining more Democratic-leaning areas like parts of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
The California Republican Party has challenged the new maps in federal court, and the case is awaiting a decision from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
LaMalfa was up for reelection this fall, facing five Democratic challengers, according to Ballotpedia, including state Senate Leader Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg.
Erika and I extend our deepest condolences to Doug LaMalfa’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Public service is a noble calling, regardless of party, and Congressman LaMalfa’s dedication to serving the people of California deserves recognition, respect and gratitude.
Our… — Mike McGuire (@ilike_mike) January 6, 2026
McGuire expressed condolences on social media, calling public service “a noble calling, regardless of party.”
“Congressman LaMalfa’s dedication to serving the people of California deserves recognition, respect and gratitude,” he said. “Our prayers are with his family and the communities he has proudly served.”
LaMalfa’s death leaves the district without a representative. According to state law, Gov. Gavin Newsom must within 14 days call for a special election to fill the seat, and the election would occur at least 126 but not more than 140 days after the governor’s proclamation. That timeframe would likely line up with California’s 2026 primary elections in June.
The winner would serve the remainder of LaMalfa’s term, which ends in January 2027.
Colleagues across parties react
LaMalfa worked closely with many Bay Area lawmakers during his time in Congress.
U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, described LaMalfa as a close friend and colleague, pointing to years of collaboration on water infrastructure investments and watershed protections in the Sacramento Valley.
“I’m certainly going to miss him,” Garamendi said, “We traveled together every week, back and forth on the same plane for nearly 15 years, and our friendship deepened as did our work for the betterment of the Sacramento Valley.”
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, called LaMalfa’s death “shocking and sad.” Huffman served with LaMalfa on the House Committee of Natural Resources.
This is incredibly shocking and sad. Doug and I served together for almost two decades in Congress and the State Assembly and were able to accomplish a lot for Northern CA.
Although we had profound differences, I always admired his dedication to his family and community. I… https://t.co/S43SDmLRim — Rep. Jared Huffman (@RepHuffman) January 6, 2026
“Although we had profound differences, I always admired his dedication to his family and community. I appreciated his sense of humor, and despite our differences, we were able to remind each other that it wasn’t personal,” Huffman said in a statement. “This is a big loss, and my heart goes out to all who love him.”
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Santa Cruz, who worked with LaMalfa on agriculture and wildfire-related legislation, said LaMalfa was “always willing to work across the aisle.”
“Doug will be missed in California and in Congress,” Panetta said, “But his legacy of working to get stuff done for our constituents will remain.”
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of a man he called a friend and partner.
President Donald Trump also offered condolences Tuesday morning while speaking to Republican lawmakers, calling LaMalfa a friend and a “fantastic person.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom called LaMalfa a “devoted public servant” and ordered flags at the State Capitol to be flown at half-staff in LaMalfa’s honor.