United States Representative Doug LaMalfa, a longtime voice in Northern California politics, passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, January 5th.
According to details released by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the 1st District Congressman died at Enloe Hospital following a sudden medical emergency at his residence.
The Medical Emergency
The incident began at approximately 6:50p.m. on Monday, when the Butte County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from LaMalfa’s residence reporting a medical emergency. The call was immediately transferred to medical personnel who responded to the scene.
Congressman LaMalfa was transported by ambulance to Enloe Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, he was taken into emergency surgery. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Congressman LaMalfa passed away during the surgical procedure.
Investigation and Protocols
In accordance with standard protocols for such an event, the Coroner’s Unit of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation to determine the official cause of death. A forensic pathologist is scheduled to conduct an autopsy as part of this ongoing investigation.
“The Butte County Sheriff’s Office expresses its deepest condolences to the LaMalfa family during this difficult time,” the agency said in a statement released shortly after the Congressman’s passing.
A Lifetime in the North State
LaMalfa was a fixture in Northern California agriculture and politics. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner who attended local schools. He earned his degree in Agriculture/Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
His political career began in Sacramento, where he was elected to the California State Assembly and subsequently the State Senate. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, where he became a staunch advocate for the North State’s agriculture and resources-based economy.
Most recently, in 2025, Congressman LaMalfa was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. As Chairman of the second-largest membership organization in Congress, he focused heavily on addressing rural issues affecting his constituents.
