Border-crossing journalism from the Sacramento Valley
District 1’s congressman, 65-year-old rice farmer Doug LaMalfa, died early today after suffering an aneurysm and heart attack, according to media reports.
The Richvale Republican was serving his seventh term in the House in a district that has a conservative voter majority and includes rural North State counties like Butte, Yuba, Shasta and Siskiyou. LaMalfa had served on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation committees and was a steadfast Trump loyalist.
Kyle Wilson celebrated his 33rd birthday Nov. 15 meeting potential constituents at a Santa Rosa coffee shop.
Sporting a “KYLE WILSON for Congress” button pinned to his brown pullover sweater, Wilson – one of several Democrats vying for the seat in the reconfigured U.S. congressional District 1 that includes Chico and Santa Rosa – chatted with Sonoma County residents who joined him for coffee. Many pinned the novice candidate’s large buttons on their shirts and jackets.
If California’s congressional districts are redrawn, District 1 residents could see lively debate about climate change and how farmers can adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Audrey Denney, chair of the Democratic Action Club of Chico, has announced she will run in the District 1 election if the proposed map is approved. Denney views agriculture as “a tremendous asset in the fight against climate change,” and would push for more incentives for farmers to adopt regenerative practices.
At his first in-person town hall in eight years, District 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa defended his support for the One Big Beautiful Act — as some members of his audience jeered and heckled him.
In fact, interruptions were relentless during the 90-minute town hall that began at 7:30 a.m. at Chico’s Elks Lodge. Despite the early hour, the meeting room filled quickly with 600 people with no seats left.
LaMalfa responded to a question about possible cuts to Medicaid. “When we’re talking about the people that really do need it and are eligible under the program, they’re not being cut,” the congressman said.
