Republican Douglas Lee LaMalfa died unexpectedly at the age of 65 and several of his party colleagues mourned his death, as he was considered a tireless fighter for California, his home state.
Through a statement, Richard Hudson, congressman from North Carolina, praised the career of the conservative who since 2013 represented California’s first Congressional District, which extends along the border with Oregon, encompassing Redding and reaching north of Sacramento.
“Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers and working families. Doug brought determination, authenticity and conviction to everything he did in public service,” he said.
In this regard, In a speech at the House Republican retreat at the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump also dedicated a few words to the legacy of Douglas LaMalfa.
“I want to express our tremendous sadness at the loss of a great member, a great, great, great member, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. He was a fierce advocate for water issues in California. “Our hearts go out to his wife Jill and his entire family,” he said.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office, California, reported that after a 911 call, emergency personnel responded to LaMalfa’s home.
Immediately afterwards, because the representative required emergency surgery, he was transferred to Enloe Hospital where he died during the procedure.
The doctors in charge of the procedure announced that he suffered an aneurysm and later a heart attack after undergoing surgery.
Given the death of LaMalfa, the Republican caucus in the lower house is left with a difference of only five seats: 218 seats compared to 213 for the Democrats.
This situation will make the next elections more close with the latent possibility that the House of Representatives could become controlled by the Democrats.
In fact, the California district that Douglas LaMalfa represented had been subject to redistribution by Democratic authorities in the “Golden State.”
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