On The Passing of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, A Rare Conservative Champion from California

Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s sudden death this week shocked people in Washington and throughout California, especially in the rural North State he served for over ten years. At 65, he was still fully involved in his work, so his passing felt especially sudden to those who knew him.

President Trump responded to LaMalfa’s death right away, giving personal praise to a lawmaker he respected. He called LaMalfa “a great, great, great member of Congress” and pointed out his leadership of the Western Caucus and his strong work on California water issues.

“He was a fierce champion on water,” Trump said. “He wanted ‘release the water.’ He would scream it. And he was a true defender of American children.”

Trump also mentioned what made LaMalfa different in Washington. He said LaMalfa always did what he thought was right without needing to be pushed. “With Doug, I never had a call,” the President said. “He was with us right from the beginning.”

Doug LaMalfa was known for being steady and reliable throughout his career.

If you don’t know his district, LaMalfa represented California’s “North State,” a large rural area from the Sacramento Valley up to the Oregon border. People there sometimes call it the “State of Jefferson,” showing how independent and conservative it is, often differing from coastal California’s politics. The region is shaped by farming, ranching, forestry, and small towns. LaMalfa didn’t just represent the area—he was part of it.

LaMalfa was a rice farmer himself, and that made a difference. When he fought for water access in Washington, he spoke from real experience. He knew what water shortages meant for families and communities who relied on farming.

He focused his political career on the issues that mattered most in his district: water, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, veterans, and the strength of rural communities. He didn’t care about slogans or attention—he cared about results.

I met Doug in the early 2000s when he ran for the State Assembly. We started as colleagues and became friends. Even back then, he was known for being consistent. Doug took his work seriously, listened closely, and stayed away from drama. He saw public service as a responsibility, not a way to seek fame.

He kept that same approach during his time in Washington.

Right after I heard the terrible news, I called San Diego Supervisor Joel Anderson, who served with Doug in the State Legislature. Along with former State Senator Mark Wyland, the four of us spent many evenings discussing policy, politics, and life. Our talks weren’t about ambition—they were about ideas, friendship, and believing that public service was important.

Anderson described him this way: “Doug was my roommate and my friend—a man with a stoic sense of humor, deep loyalty, and a genuine love of country. He worked long hours to make a real difference, always putting his family first.”

Doug was very loyal to those around him. His staff didn’t come and go—they were like an extended family, treated with respect and trust. He remembered people’s names and details about their lives. That kind of leadership is hard to find in Washington.

LaMalfa’s sudden death also has immediate political effects. Right now, his seat is a strong Republican district that President Trump won by a large margin.

But that reality is about to change.

After a redistricting plan led by Governor Gavin Newsom and approved by voters last November, most of LaMalfa’s district will become part of a new congressional district. This new seat leans strongly Democratic—Kamala Harris won it by a large margin—turning a conservative rural area into one that now favors Democrats.

This timing creates a unique situation. One person could be elected under the current district lines to finish LaMalfa’s term, then there would be another election under the new map. A candidate could try to run in both, but the big shift from Republican to Democratic makes that much harder.

We’ll know the answers to those questions soon.

For now, we should focus on remembering our friend, Doug.

Doug was a dedicated lawmaker, a working farmer, a steady conservative, and a strong supporter of a region that often feels overlooked. He believed in serving quietly, keeping his promises, and honoring the country he served.

Those are qualities worth honoring. 

Rest in peace, my friend. And to Jill and the rest of the La Malfa family, and to all who were close to Doug, our prayers are with you all.