California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, chair of the Congressional Western Caucus and a longtime leader on natural resources and energy policy, died Tuesday, his staff said. He was 65.
LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer, had served in the House, representing a large rural district in the northeastern part of California, since 2013. He was previously in the state Legislature for 10 years.
“Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage, and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves. His tragic and unexpected passing leaves a deep impact on many,” LaMalfa’s chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, said in a statement.
President Donald Trump called LaMalfa “a fantastic person” in a Tuesday speech at House Republicans’ policy retreat in Washington.
