By Maya C. Miller, CalMatters
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Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a fourth generation rice farmer and Republican who represented much of California’s rural north in Congress, has died in office, setting off a scramble to replace him ahead of the November midterm election. He was 65.
His unexpected death Tuesday further shrinks the party’s already razor-thin majority in Congress, which now stands at 218 following Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation. The GOP can now only afford to lose two members on any party-line vote.
LaMalfa’s passing also sets up a potentially confusing scenario for his constituents in the 1st Congressional District, one of the five that were significantly redrawn under the voter-approved Proposition 50 last year.
Under California law, Gov. Gavin Newsom must call a special election within 14 days to fill the remainder of LaMalfa’s term. That election will take place using the existing congressional district map, a seat that stretches from much of the Oregon-California border through rural Shasta and Sutter counties and strongly favors Republicans.
In November, though, voters will cast ballots under the new Democratic-leaning district lines adopted by voters. That means the likely Republican victor of the special election would only serve a few months before being forced to run in a heavily Democratic-favored seat.
“Somebody’s going to work really hard to be in Congress for five months before they’re highly likely to lose in November,” said Matt Rexroad, a Republican strategist and redistricting expert.
LaMalfa died during emergency surgery at a Chico hospital, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, which said his family called 911 after the congressman experienced a “medical emergency” in his home.
While President Donald Trump and House Republicans could consistently count on LaMalfa’s support for conservative priorities such as last year’s mega domestic policy bill, he never adopted the firebrand or antagonist persona that many of his colleagues preferred.
Instead, LaMalfa developed a reputation as a pragmatic and affable member who prioritized water access and forestry management, key interests for his largely forested, fire-prone, and agricultural-heavy district. It’s those issues that led him to staunchly oppose Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan that proposed to lump much of the rural north with parts of the far more urban and liberal San Francisco Bay Area.
LaMalfa was known for his steadfast commitment to issues that affected his district. One tradition of his was to stake out the president after the State of the Union speech. In those precious few minutes, as the leader of the free world descended the dais and moved to exit the chamber, LaMalfa would make his legislative requests. As the Washington Post reported, after President Joe Biden’s final address, LaMalfa asked the president to force the U.S. Forest Service to speed up permits for cutting timber, telling the president, “We gotta cut some trees.”
LaMalfa strongly opposed Prop. 50, framing the gerrymander as a significant loss of representation for rural Californians. At a press conference last fall, he stressed how much he loved representing the farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers in his district, rattling off names of small towns such as Fort Goodwin and Cedarville, where he said he’s knocked on countless doors and held various town halls over the years.
“I know where all those places are,” LaMalfa told the handful of reporters gathered in the Butte County Farm Bureau lodge. “Do you think that’s going to happen when people from Cedarville, Modoc County, are lumped in with people from Sausalito and Marin County?”
What happens next?
LaMalfa was already expecting the toughest race of his career in November following voters’ approval of Prop. 50 and its new Democratic-leaning districts. Although the voter registration advantage was stacked against him, LaMalfa previously told CalMatters that he intended to “give it his all” no matter who its voters were.
Several Democrats had already declared challenges, including state Sen. Mike McGuire — who represents Santa Rosa, a new part of the district — and Chico State Professor Audrey Denney, who previously challenged LaMalfa in 2018 and 2020.
It’s possible that LaMalfa’s successor won’t be known for several months, depending on when Newsom schedules the special election and whether any candidate receives 50% of the vote. If not, voters will have to cast ballots in an additional runoff election.
House Republicans would benefit from filling the vacancy as quickly as possible, given their razor-thin margin.
The closest comparison is when former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned in 2022 to lead a new Trump-backed media outlet. Newsom called a special election for early April, with a run-off election that coincided with that year’s regularly scheduled statewide primary. Republican Connie Conway ultimately won the seat and served for six months before bowing out and foregoing reelection after the district was redrawn.
It’s not yet clear whether Newsom will schedule the special election for LaMalfa’s seat to coincide with the statewide general election primary on June 2. A special primary election would need to be set nine weeks prior, with the top two candidates proceeding to the run-off unless one candidate amasses more than 50% of the vote.
Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said he has not yet chosen a date.
“I would assume the governor will try to delay as long as he can,” said Rob Stutzman, a California Republican political consultant.
California Republicans face their greatest chance of victory if they can clear the field and avoid a run-off election by uniting behind a single candidate who can attract more than 50% of the vote.
The top two names circulating as likely successors are Assemblymember James Gallagher, the former Republican leader who is term limited and can’t run for re-election, and former Sen. Brian Dahle, who termed out last year. Neither immediately responded to texts and calls asking whether they will consider running.
“I’m in shock. My mentor, a man who was like a big brother to me, is suddenly gone,” Gallagher said in a statement Tuesday. “Doug LaMalfa was a one of a kind, humble and dedicated public servant. I’m lost and can’t imagine life, public service or politics without Doug.”
“We mourn the loss of Congressman LaMalfa whose unwavering dedication and tireless service made a lasting difference for North State residents,” Dahle wrote on social media.
None of LaMalfa’s Democratic challengers immediately said whether they would run in a special election.
