The Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

Media Statements

Release Date: Jan. 6, 2026

The California Walnut Board and Commission shares its condolences on the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Northern California who dedicated his career to supporting agriculture and was a strong advocate for walnut growers. He was 65.

Representing California’s 1st Congressional District — the state’s largest walnut-producing region, accounting for nearly half of the state’s walnut acreage — LaMalfa served on the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Transportation committees. Throughout his career, he was a tireless advocate for farmers, using his experience and connections to build coalitions, navigate complex issues and support the agricultural community across the region.

“It is a sad day for agriculture in the North State. Doug was a great individual, neighbor and advocate for rural agriculture in Northern California. His farming background allowed him to see issues through a farmer’s lens, and he was always approachable and engaged. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his wife Jill, the LaMalfa family and his excellent staff in Washington, D.C., and California.”

— Chuck Crain, CEO, Crain Walnut Shelling, Los Molinos, Calif.

“I first met Doug LaMalfa when he served on the California Rice Commission. He was a farmer at heart, and it showed in how he advocated for his constituents. He knew firsthand the challenges farmers faced, it was real to him, and he worked tirelessly to find real solutions.”

— George Soares, managing partner, Kahn, Soares and Conway, Sacramento, Calif.

“I had the privilege of working with Congressman LaMalfa over the past several years. I saw firsthand the strong connection he had with the farmers and citizens he represented. He brought a practical, down-to-earth approach to solving real challenges facing agriculture, including supporting walnut growers navigating crop disasters and market pressures. He understood the economic challenges growers faced, approached those issues with empathy and consistently worked across the aisle to pursue solutions that protected livelihoods and the rural landscapes he so proudly represented.”

— Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO, California Walnut Board and Commission