Doug LaMalfa obit

GOP lawmaker Doug LaMalfa dies at 65

The Republican represented a rural northern California district.

 He was not on the list.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican known for his expertise on water and forestry issues, has died at 65, according to statements from GOP officials.

LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer and former state legislator, was serving his seventh term representing a rural district in the northeast corner of the state. He sat on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

President Donald Trump paid tribute to LaMalfa during a speech to House Republicans Tuesday as a reliable vote for his agenda.

“And by the way, he wasn’t a three-o’clock-in-the-morning person,” Trump said, referring to GOP lawmakers who need presidential cajoling on critical votes. “With Doug, I never had to call. He was with us right from the beginning.”

His office said in a statement that LaMalfa is survived by his wife, Jill, four children and a grandchild. He “cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage, and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves,” the statement said.

Republicans who were close with LaMalfa were not aware of any health issues he had, and many were in shock Tuesday morning about his sudden passing, according to six GOP lawmakers who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.

LaMalfa suffered an aneurysm and then a heart attack after being taken into surgery, according to one of the lawmakers and two others familiar with the matter.

His death also further narrows an already slim Republican majority in the House. Now with a 218-213 advantage, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford no more than two defections on party-line votes where all members are present and voting.

“We are mourning the loss of our friend and brother today and we send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time,” Johnson said in a statement.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the House GOP campaign arm, remembered LaMalfa as a “real gearhead and motorsports fan” as well as a “principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California.”

“Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service,” Hudson said.

Under California law, Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to set a date for a special election. He could set the date as soon as mid-May, though he could also schedule it to coincide with the state’s June 2 primary. The winner would serve out LaMalfa’s term under current district lines.

His successor, however, will face a wildly different political landscape in the November election. LaMalfa’s seat was among those targeted by California Democrats in their bid to redraw district lines to counter President Donald Trump’s mid-decade redistricting push in Texas and other states.

In November, California voters approved a gerrymandered House map that folded LaMalfa’s turf into a new, blue-leaning district — threatening to push him into a competitive race after years of cruising to reelection in a largely Republican district. He was up against a Democratic former state Senate leader who had already piled up money and endorsements.

LaMalfa decried the gerrymander as anti-democratic even as he vowed to press ahead with meeting new constituents and holding onto office.

“We’ve had a long-term relationship with people in northern California, and we’re not just going to walk away from that,” LaMalfa told POLITICO last month.