GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa Dead At 65

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) died on Monday, GOP leadership in the House confirmed a day later. He was 65 years old.

“House Republicans mourn the loss of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. A lifelong resident of Northern California and a fourth-generation rice farmer, Congressman LaMalfa spent more than two decades in public service. He proudly represented California’s 1st Congressional District from 2013 to 2026, serving as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. Please join us in praying for Congressman LaMalfa’s wife, kids, and staff.

House Republicans mourn the loss of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

A lifelong resident of Northern California and a fourth-generation rice farmer, Congressman LaMalfa spent more than two decades in public service. He proudly represented California’s 1st Congressional District from… pic.twitter.com/nTFSiEXUlE

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) January 6, 2026

Longtime friend and colleague Tom Emmer (R-MN) posted a statement on X confirming the news, saying, “Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 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.”

President Donald Trump shared his reaction to the loss of the California congressman as well, adding, “I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member — a great, great, great member — Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday as you probably have heard. He was the leader of the Western Caucus, a fierce champion on California water issues, he was great on water — he wanted — release the water, he’d scream — and a true defender of American children, he was a defender of everybody.”

“Our hearts go out to his wife, Jill and his entire family,” Trump continued. “I was really saddened by his passing, and was thinking about not even doing this speech in his honor, but then I decided that I have to do it in his honor because he would have wanted it that way. He would have said, ‘Do that speech, are you kidding? Do the speech.'”

“I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member — a great, great, great member — Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday… our hearts go out to his wife, Jill and his entire family.” ????????❤️pic.twitter.com/tySLWmchjV

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 6, 2026

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) also posted a lengthy statement to X, remembering his colleague and friend — and former roommate.

I am profoundly heartbroken to hear of the passing of my close friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Before serving together in Congress, we weren’t just colleagues in the California State Legislature, we were roommates.

Doug was first and foremost a devoted husband and father,… pic.twitter.com/haAPzKRWZS

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 6, 2026

“I am profoundly heartbroken to hear of the passing of my close friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Before serving together in Congress, we weren’t just colleagues in the California State Legislature, we were roommates,” McCarthy said, sharing photos of the two of them together.

“Doug was first and foremost a devoted husband and father, inspired by his Christian faith and values to make the lives of others better,” McCarthy continued. “Many will remember him as a principled legislator, but he was also a commonsense 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.”

“Always thoughtful and affable, Doug was the unanimous choice of his colleagues to lead the Western Caucus in Congress. He will be truly missed. I share my prayers and condolences with Jill, their children, their entire family, and the entire LaMalfa team during this most difficult time,” he concluded.

No cause of death has yet been reported for the California congressman.