Doug LaMalfa, California congressman, dies at 65

(CNN, KYMA) - Doug LaMalfa, a longtime Republican congressman from Northern California, has died at the age of 65.

House GOP leadership announced LaMalfa's death, saying in part, "He proudly represented California's 1st Congressional District from 2013 to 2026, serving as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus."

LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner, and a respected voice in Washington on agriculture and rural communities.

LaMalfa first won a seat in the California State Assembly in 2002, and would briefly serve in the State Senate from 2010 to 2012 when he won election to Congress.

With LaMalfa's death and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) resignation, the GOP's already razor-thin majority becomes even smaller in the House, further complicating the job of House Speaker Mike Johnson and his team.

In addition, California will need to hold a special election to replace LaMalfa in the coming weeks. The seat is likely to remain with the GOP.