Doug LaMalfa dies at 65: What was the cause of death of the Republican congressman from California?
LaMalfa had been the House representative for California’s first congressional district for nearly a decade and a half.
Tributes have poured in for long-serving Republican congressman Doug LaMalfa, who died during emergency surgery on Monday.
LaMalfa, 65, had been the U.S. House representative for California’s first congressional district since 2013. Previously, the Oroville native had served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate.
LaMalfa died in surgery after “medical emergency”
In a news release on Tuesday, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said LaMalfa died on the operating table after suffering a “medical emergency” on Monday evening.
“On January 5, 2026, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a 9-1-1 call from the residence of Congressman Doug LaMalfa regarding a medical emergency,” the statement read.
“The call was transferred to medical personnel, who immediately responded to the residence. Congressman LaMalfa was transported to Enloe Hospital for treatment.
“Upon arrival at Enloe Hospital, Congressman LaMalfa was taken into emergency surgery. Congressman LaMalfa passed away during the surgical procedure.
“In accordance with standard protocols, the Coroner’s Unit of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death. A forensic pathologist is scheduled to conduct an autopsy as part of this investigation.
“The Butte County Sheriff’s Office expresses its deepest condolences to the LaMalfa family during this difficult time.”
“Congress is devastated”
Speaking anonymously to Politico, six GOP lawmakers said they had been unaware that LaMalfa had been troubled by any health problems. One of the lawmakers, plus two further sources, told Politico that LaMalfa died after suffering an aneurysm and a heart attack.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Republican House speaker Mike Johnson said: “Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa.
“Doug was a lifelong resident of northern California and deeply loved its people. He was as fierce of a fighter for his state’s vast natural resources and beauty as we have ever known.
“We are mourning the loss of our friend and brother today and we send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time.”
Trump “really saddened”
The U.S. president, Donald Trump, also paid tribute to LaMalfa on Tuesday. During a speech given to Republican lawmakers, Trump said, per Fox: “I was really saddened by his passing and was thinking about not even doing the speech in his honor.
“But then I decided that I have to do it in his honor. I’ll do it in his honor because he would’ve wanted it that way.”
LaMalfa is survived by wife Jill and four children.
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