Doug LaMalfa: A Life Rooted in the Soil and Service of Northern California
Introduction: The Passing of a North State Icon The political landscape of Northern California and the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. A native of Oroville, LaMalfa was much more than a politician; he was a fourth-generation rice farmer who brought the grit and pragmatism of rural life to the state and federal government. He died on January 6, 2026, at the age of 65, following a medical emergency that occurred at his home in Richvale. His death reduced the Republican House majority to a narrow 218-213 margin, highlighting the significant weight of his presence in Washington.
Early Roots and Agricultural Heritage Douglas Lee LaMalfa was born on July 2, 1960, in Oroville, California. His family’s agricultural history in Northern California dates back approximately 110 years. His great-grandparents emigrated from Sicily to established a prune ranch, vineyard, and winery south of San Jose before the family transitioned to rice farming near Chico in 1931. Growing up in this environment, Doug learned the values of hard work and community service from a young age. He graduated from Biggs High School in 1978 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1982. After college, he returned to Richvale to help manage the DSL LaMalfa Family Partnership, the family’s rice farming business.
A Rising Voice in the State Legislature LaMalfa’s entry into politics was driven by the redistricting following the 2000 census, which created an open seat in California’s 2nd Assembly District. Recognizing the need for an agricultural voice, he ran and won the seat in 2002 with 67% of the vote. During his tenure in the California State Assembly (2002–2008), he established himself as a staunch conservative. He was an early supporter of Proposition 209, which ended affirmative action in California, and a vocal advocate for Proposition 8, which sought to ban same-sex marriage. In 2007, he successfully passed AB 1645, the first pro-gun legislation signed into law in a decade, which prevented the seizure of firearms during emergencies.
In 2010, LaMalfa was elected to the California State Senate, representing the 4th District. In the Senate, he continued to oppose mainstream progressive policies, such as the proposed California bullet train, citing the state’s dire fiscal crisis. He also fought against mandates requiring the teaching of gay history in public schools, arguing it crossed a line into a "new frontier" away from mainstream values.
The Congressional Years: Championing the 1st District Doug LaMalfa was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, succeeding the retiring Wally Herger. He represented California’s 1st Congressional District, a vast rural area covering nearly all of interior Northern California, including cities like Chico, Redding, and Susanville. In Congress, his philosophy was guided by the belief that government should "do no harm" and only perform tasks that people cannot do for themselves.
He was a tireless advocate for limited government, lower taxes, and constitutional grounding. Over his seven terms, LaMalfa became a fixture on the House floor, known for his frequent remarks on both local and national affairs. In 2025 alone, he spoke on the House floor on at least 81 different days, making him one of the most active speakers in the chamber.
Key Policy Priorities: Water and Forestry For LaMalfa, water was always the top priority. He worked extensively on securing the future of California’s water supply, notably through his support of the Sites Reservoir Project Act, which aimed to increase water storage for agricultural use during dry years. He frequently argued that the state needed better infrastructure to save water during wet years to prepare for inevitable droughts.
Wildfire prevention was another cornerstone of his legislative work. Representing a district ravaged by catastrophic fires, such as the 2018 Camp Fire, LaMalfa pushed for aggressive forest management and wildfire mitigation. He successfully passed the Fire Funding Fix in 2018, which created a disaster fund for the Forest Service to prevent fire-fighting costs from depleting other budgets. He also authored legislation to eliminate federal taxes on fire recovery settlements, helping victims rebuild their lives.
A Loyal Ally to Donald Trump Throughout his congressional career, LaMalfa was a consistent supporter of President Donald Trump’s agenda. Trump himself noted that LaMalfa "voted with me 100% of the time" and praised him as an ally who didn’t need to be lobbied for his support. LaMalfa stood by Trump during both of his impeachments and was one of 126 House Republicans who signed an amicus brief contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. He also voted against the certification of electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania in January 2021.
Social and Fiscal Positions LaMalfa maintained a deeply conservative voting record, aligning with Joe Biden’s positions only about 11.6% of the time during the 117th Congress. He was staunchly pro-life, earning an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. He opposed federal protections for same-sex marriage, arguing that marriage is a divine institution. On fiscal matters, he supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, believing it would provide a "booster shot" to the American economy. Conversely, he was a vocal critic of Obamacare, advocating for a patient-centered system that lowers costs through reform.
A Life of Authenticity and Grit Beyond the policy debates, Doug LaMalfa was known for his down-to-earth personality. His staff described him as "deeply funny" and a "normal guy" who was obsessed with cars and classic rock. He often arrived at events with grease under his fingernails from working on his own equipment. He was a man of his district, frequently driving hundreds of miles to attend small-town events and ensure his rural constituents were heard.
50 Question and Answer About Doug LaMalfa
- Who was Doug LaMalfa?
He was a Republican Congressman from California’s 1st District and a fourth-generation rice farmer.
- When was he born?
He was born on July 2, 1960.
- When did he die?
He died on January 6, 2026.
- What was his cause of death?
He died during emergency surgery after experiencing a heart attack and an aneurysm.
- Where was he from?
He was a native of Oroville, California.
- What was his educational background?
He attended Butte College and earned a degree in Ag/Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
- What was his family’s business?
The DSL LaMalfa Family Partnership, a rice farm in Richvale.
- How long had his family been in agriculture?
About 110 years in Northern California.
- When did he first enter the California State Assembly?
In 2002.
- Which district did he represent in the State Senate?
The 4th District.
- When was he first elected to the U.S. House?
In 2012.
- Which congressional district did he represent?
California’s 1st District.
- What cities were in his district?
Chico, Redding, and Susanville.
- What was his stance on government size?
He believed in limited, constitutionally grounded government.
- What was his primary legislative focus for the North State?
Agriculture and the resources-based economy.
- How did he view Obamacare?
He supported repealing it and replacing it with patient-centered reforms.
- What was his major priority regarding California’s water?
Increasing water supply and storage, such as the Sites Reservoir.
- What was the "Fire Funding Fix"?
A 2018 law he helped develop to create a disaster fund for firefighting.
- How did he help fire victims?
He passed legislation eliminating federal taxes on fire recovery settlements.
- What was his stance on the 2020 election?
He claimed the election pointed to a "fraudulent outcome" and voted against certifying certain states' results.
- How many terms did he serve in Congress?
Seven terms.
- What committee did he lead in 2025?
He was Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
- What was his rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America?
A+.
- How did he vote on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?
He voted in favor of it.
- Did he support same-sex marriage?
No, he consistently opposed it and voted against the Respect for Marriage Act.
- What was his view on climate change?
He questioned man-made causes, once stating that the climate has fluctuated "since God created it".
- What was his stance on affirmative action?
He was an early supporter of Proposition 209 to end it in California.
- How did he feel about the California bullet train?
He strongly opposed it due to fiscal concerns.
- What award did he receive from the California Rifle and Pistol Association?
Legislator of the Year for 2007.
- Who was his wife?
Jill LaMalfa.
- How many children did he have?
Four children.
- What was his religious affiliation?
Protestant.
- What was his position on the Juneteenth federal holiday?
He was one of 14 House Republicans who voted against it.
- What was his history with farm subsidies?
His own farm received over $1.7 million in public assistance, though he later voted to end direct payments.
- What was his stance on the "Equality Act"?
The sources note the NEA supported it, but LaMalfa's "F" grade suggests his opposition to such progressive measures.
- How did he handle town halls?
He was known for hosting them even in small towns, though some were "fiery" and met with protesters.
- What was his stance on COVID-19 vaccine mandates?
He strongly opposed them and introduced the "Keep Vaccines Voluntary Act".
- What was his view on forest management?
He blamed poor management for intense wildfires and sought to streamline vegetation removal near power lines.
- What did he think about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?
He called it "dangerous" and favored the Electoral College.
- What was his stance on aid to Ukraine?
In 2023, he was the sole California Republican to vote against security assistance for Ukraine.
- How did he interact with presidents at the State of the Union?
He was known for seeking one-on-one moments to make requests for his district.
- What were his hobbies?
He loved cars and classic rock.
- How active was he on the House floor?
Very active; in 2024, he ranked 3rd for the number of days spoken.
- What was his stance on transgender medical interventions for children?
He introduced legislation to ban federal funding for such surgeries.
- Who endorsed him for his first congressional run?
Outgoing Congressman Wally Herger.
- What was the "RESTORE Act"?
A bill he introduced to conduct large-scale forest management projects.
- What was his position on marijuana legalization?
He opposed federal legalization.
- Did he support the 2021 Indian farmers' protest?
Yes.
- How did Trump react to his death?
He expressed "tremendous sorrow" and called him a loyal ally.
- What happens to his seat now?
Governor Gavin Newsom must call a special election.
Doug LaMalfa was like the sturdy oak of the North State; deeply rooted in the soil of his family farm, he provided a firm, unyielding canopy of conservative values for the rural communities he spent his life serving.
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