Speaker of the House Mike Johnson published this photo of Rep. Doug LaMalfa being sworn into office. Photo via X

Remembrances for the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Chico) came from all corners of California Tuesday.

The congressman experienced a medical emergency on Monday night and was taken to a local hospital, where he died during an emergency surgical procedure, the Butte County sheriff’s office said on Tuesday. Officials haven’t disclosed the cause of his death.

LaMalfa, 65, a fourth-generation rice farmer, was elected to Congress in 2012 after serving in the state Legislature. He represented California’s 1st District, which covered a vast portion of the state’s rural North, spanning from the Oregon border down to just north of Sacramento.

Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) served in the California Legislature with LaMalfa. In a statement Tuesday, she said his wife Jill, their children and the entire LaMalfa family are being lifted up in prayer.

“It was an honor of a lifetime to serve alongside Doug,” Grove said. “California has lost an incredible conservative advocate, but Heaven has gained a faithful servant.”

The Westland Water District said in a statement that LaMalfa championed policies that strengthened water reliability for farms and rural communities in California. He elevated other rural issues such as reducing wildfire risk.

“As a farmer, Congressman LaMalfa understood that water is the lifeblood of the Valley that allows our farmers to feed the nation,” said Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District. “His commitment to practical solutions and advocacy for growers and rural communities will leave a lasting impact.”

On X, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) described LaMalfa as “a committed public servant at both the state and federal levels who cared deeply about the people he represented and the future of rural California.”

Joe Del Bosque, a Firebaugh melon grower and CEO of Del Bosque Farms, said on X that “California and the Central Valley lost one of our most genuine, dedicated advocates.”

John Kabateck, state director for the national Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in California, said they are mourning one of their members who had an outsized impact.

“The passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa is heart-breaking,” Kabateck said. “California small businesses have lost a proven champion of Main Street enterprises. He was an NFIB member for 43 years and his expertise on agricultural and water issues will not easily be replaced.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom must call a special election to replace LaMalfa, his office said. The election could happen as late as June, when California will hold its primary for the 2026 midterm.

---

The Associated Press contributed to this report.