Northern California mourned Rep. Doug LaMalfa, celebrating his dedication to rural communities and agriculture. Leaders and locals praised his lasting impact.
CHICO, Calif — People across Northern California gathered Saturday in Chico to honor the life and legacy of late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, remembering him as a public servant who never lost sight of the people he represented.
Hundreds filled the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds for a memorial service that blended grief with laughter, as family, friends, constituents, and national leaders reflected on LaMalfa’s years of service and the personal connections he built along the way. Attendees described a man who was funny, giving, and loyal — and who made people feel seen.
Terry Williams of Richvale, said he watched LaMalfa grow up and had known his family for decades. Williams remembered him as gentle and kind, someone who understood rural communities and agriculture in a way few others did.
“He represented agriculture and our community very well,” Williams said. “It’s something that’s very necessary because a lot of people from the cities don’t necessarily know what our problems are.”
Janelle and Daryl Brock, Chico residents, said they were grateful to have LaMalfa representing them.
“I think we are so grateful that we had a man such as Doug LaMalfa representing Northern California in Washington, D.C. on our behalf,” they said.
LaMalfa, who represented Northern California’s 1st Congressional District, died unexpectedly in early January following a medical emergency. Saturday’s service included an honor guard ceremony and moments of quiet reflection as the LaMalfa family took the stage.
His wife, Jill LaMalfa, thanked the crowd for their support, telling them their presence mattered during the family’s grief.
“First of all thank you all so much for being here. Your kind words are literally honey to our wound. Just your presence here encourages our hearts,” she said.
She also shared a reminder not to delay what matters most.
“Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Make the time. Don’t say some day we’re gonna, no say next week we’re going to. Right now I’m going to call and make reservations for us to do this because we are not guaranteed a minute of this life,” she said.
LaMalfa was known as a longtime advocate for rural communities, farmers and Northern California families. Leaders from across the state and the nation traveled to Chico to pay their respects, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Doug was a truly great man and the large crowd here today is a testament to that,” Johnson said. “Washington is a place with a lot of powerful people, a lot of ambitious people, a lot of successful people. But truly great, honorable, deeply respected and loved men are difficult to find. Doug was one of those rare people.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also spoke, becoming emotional as he reflected on his colleague and friend.
“He was the same his last day of Congress as he was on the very first day he was sworn in to the State House of California, the day I met him. He did not change,” McCarthy said.
Gov. Newsom has scheduled a special election for Aug. 4 to fill the vacancy left by LaMalfa’s death. Officials said the primary for that race will be held June 2 alongside the statewide primary.
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