Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa dies at 65

California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died at the age of 65. according to his office, as President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leaders reacted Tuesday to the unexpected death of the seven-term congressman.

LaMalfa’s chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, issued a statement on behalf of the congressman’s office confirming his death early Tuesday morning.

“Early this morning, Congressman Doug LaMalfa returned home to the Lord. He leaves a lasting legacy of servant leadership. [and] kindness to the Northern State,” the statement said. “His humor and work effort are legendary; “A reporter once said he looked at the backyard of every barbecue just to see if Doug was there visiting.”

“Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply about the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water reservoirs, and let people be free to choose what is best for them,” the statement continued. “His tragic and unexpected passing leaves a profound impact on many. He leaves behind his incredible wife Jill, four children, one grandson, two sisters and a host of cousins.”

LaMalfa’s untimely death reduces President Johnson’s slim majority, with 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats leaving Republican leaders with a two-vote margin. This comes just one day after Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from office a year before her term expired.

“Congress is devastated to learn this morning of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa,” Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. “Doug was a lifelong resident of Northern California and deeply loved his people. He was as fierce a fighter for the vast natural resources and beauty of his state as we have ever known. Today we mourn the loss of our friend and brother and send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time.”

President Trump, speaking Tuesday morning at a House Republican retreat at the newly renamed Kennedy Center, reacted to LaMalfa’s passing, praising him as “a fierce advocate for California’s water issues.”

“Before we continue, I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member, a great, great, great member: Congressman Doug LaMalfa,” Trump said.

“He was great in the water. He wanted to let loose, he screamed, and he was a true advocate for American children. He was a champion for everyone. And our hearts go out to his wife, Jill, and his entire family,” Trump added.

The president claimed that LaMalfa voted with him “100% of the time” and that he was not a member the president needed the president to line up.

“I talked to Doug, but I didn’t talk to him about… I mean, I never had a problem,” Trump said. “And I was really very saddened by his passing and I was thinking about not even doing the speech in his honor. But then I decided I had to do it in his honor. I’m going to do it in his honor, because he would have wanted it that way.”

Across the aisle, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who took office in 2013 alongside LaMalfa, expressed his condolences to the congressman’s family and constituents.

“I join people across Northern California in mourning the untimely passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Rep. LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer, treasured his community, worked mightily to protect California farmers, and served those he represented with principled purpose, from the state legislature to the United States House of Representatives,” said Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Doug and I joined Congress as classmates in 2013, and it was an honor to witness firsthand his personal passion and determination for more than a decade.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said flags at the California State Capitol will fly at half-staff in honor of LaMalfa.

“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,” Newsom said in a statement.

Before coming to Washington, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy not only served in the California state legislature with LaMalfa: the two were roommates.

“Doug was first and foremost a devoted husband and father, inspired by his Christian faith and values ​​to improve the lives of others. Many will remember him as a principled legislator, but he was also a common-sense rice farmer through and through, spending his time in Congress fighting for family farms on agriculture, water and resource issues, as well as working to eliminate government waste like California’s high-speed rail,” McCarthy wrote in X. “Always thoughtful and personable, Doug was the unanimous choice of his colleagues to lead the Western Caucus in Congress. He will be truly missed.”