Overview
- Deputies responded to a Jan. 5 medical emergency at LaMalfa’s home, he was taken to Enloe Hospital in Chico and died during surgery, and the coroner is investigating with no cause yet released.
- Republicans now hold a 218–213 edge in the House, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson only two defections to spare on party-line votes.
- California officials must call a special election to fill the vacancy under the existing district boundaries, with the contest expected in a Republican-leaning seat.
- A mid-decade redistricting enacted last year is slated to make the 1st District more favorable to Democrats for the November 2026 general election, according to Reuters.
- LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer and chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, drew tributes from President Donald Trump and lawmakers in both parties.