American Congressman Doug LaMalfa Dies Unexpectedly at 65

Sadness Among Colleagues

Doug LaMalfa, a Republican congressman from California, has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 65, his colleagues announced on Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump paid tribute to LaMalfa, expressing his "deep sadness for the loss of a great member - a fantastic member." The cause of the congressman's death has not been immediately clarified.

LaMalfa, a former rice farmer, was elected to congress in 2013 and focused on water and agriculture issues throughout his tenure. His death has already reduced the slim Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to just a few votes, following the resignation of former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene.

"He was a fantastic person," Trump stated. "He voted with me 100% of the time." Congressman Tom Emmer from Minnesota described his colleague as "an outstanding advocate for his constituents and rural America."

LaMalfa earned a degree in agricultural business from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He was a state legislator before being elected to congress, where he advocated for aid to fire victims in his Northern California district and "worked to protect families from excessive regulations while ensuring that American farmers and ranchers can continue to feed the world," according to his congressional website.

Greene's resignation and LaMalfa's death have left Republicans with a majority of 218-213, meaning they have only a two-vote advantage—if three members do not vote or join the Democrats, Republicans lose. Shortly after the news of LaMalfa's death, reports emerged that another Republican congressman had been hospitalized following a car accident. Indiana Congressman Jim Baird is recovering and "is expected to make a full recovery," according to a statement posted on social media.

Currently, there are four vacant seats in the House, with Democrats favored to capture two of them in special elections in Texas at the end of January and in New Jersey in the spring. According to California law, Governor Gavin Newsom will have 14 days to call special elections to fill LaMalfa's seat.