U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented a vast swath of rural Northern California, died while undergoing emergency surgery Monday evening, authorities said. He also pushed for passage of the Protection of Marriage Act, Proposition 22, which banned same-sex marriage in California. AdvertisementLaMalfa’s death also came as a shock to school superintendents in rural Northern California who worked closely with him to restore the Secure Rural Schools Act. Beans last saw LaMalfa on Dec. 9, when the rural schools act was renewed in a 399-5 vote. “When you talk about Washington, D.C., you don’t think of the name Congressman Doug LaMalfa, but, boy, did he work behind the scenes for kids and for rural America, and especially rural California.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 06, 2026 15:19 UTC