As we reported Tuesday, longtime Northstate Congressman Doug LaMalfa has suddenly passed away following a medical emergency on Sunday evening at his home in Butte County. Apparently, he died of a heart attack while in surgery, after being rushed to Enloe Medical Center in Chico. LaMalfa, a rice farmer by trade was first elected to Congress in 2012 and has served the First Congressional District until his death Monday evening. Reaction to his death was fast and heartfelt from politicians and constituents alike. President Trump remembered the late Congressman at a gathering of GOP leaders Tuesday – which LaMalfa was scheduled to attend. Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick said in a statement that LaMalfa was “A man rooted in the land, shaped by rural life, and proud to carry those values with him every day”. Doug was a lifelong resident of Northern California and deeply loved its people”. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. “He was as fierce of a fighter for his state’s vast natural resources and beauty as we have ever known”. Governor Gavin Newsom, said he would fly the flags at the State Capitol in Sacramento at half-staff for LaMalfa, and called him “A devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented”. LaMalfa was 65.