Overview
- Authorities said a 911 call from LaMalfa’s residence led to his transport to Enloe Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and died during the procedure as the coroner investigates the cause.
- His passing reduces the House balance to 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation, leaving GOP leaders with room to lose only two votes on party-line measures.
- LaMalfa had represented California’s 1st District since 2013, was a fourth-generation rice farmer, and chaired the Congressional Western Caucus with a focus on agriculture, water policy, and wildfire recovery.
- Tributes poured in from both parties, with President Donald Trump praising LaMalfa in remarks to House Republicans, Majority Whip Tom Emmer confirming the death, and Democrats observing a moment of silence.
- State law gives Gov. Gavin Newsom 14 days to announce a special election to fill the vacancy, which reporting indicates would likely occur under the current district lines as newly drawn maps take effect for the fall.