LaMalfa’s death leaves a vacant House seat
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s sudden death this week leaves a new vacant seat in the House. It comes just ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. LaMalfa’s death will further intensify a fight between Republicans and Democrats this year for the U.S. House control. His passing shrinks Republicans’ narrow majority in the House to 218 seats, to Democrats’ 213. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to call a special election to fill LaMalfa’s remaining term.