Doug LaMalfa, a Republican Congressman from California, has died unexpectedly at age 65, colleagues announced on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump offered a tribute to LaMalfa, saying he wanted to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member - a great, great, great member.
The congressman’s cause of death was not immediately clear. LaMalfa was a former rice farmer who was elected to congress in 2013, primarily focusing on water and agricultural issues during his tenure.
His death reduces an already thin Republican majority in the U.S. House, which now has just a few seats left following the resignation of former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene.
He was a fantastic person, Trump continued. He voted with me 100% of the time. Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer called his colleague a staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America.
LaMalfa earned a degree in agricultural business from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and served as a state lawmaker before being elected to Congress, where he worked on behalf of fire victims in his northern California district and aimed to protect families from overregulation.
With LaMalfa's death, Republicans now have a narrow 218-213 majority, leaving them with just a two-vote cushion. If three members of their party do not vote or side with Democrats, they could easily lose their majority.
Hours after LaMalfa's death was announced, news surfaced that another Republican congressman had been hospitalized following a car accident. Indiana Congressman Jim Baird is recuperating and is expected to make a full recovery.
There are currently four vacancies in the House, with Democrats likely to secure two of them in upcoming special elections in Texas and New Jersey. Under California law, Governor Gavin Newsom has 14 days to call for a special election to fill LaMalfa's seat.
