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iluvtennis

(21,470 posts) Tue Jan 6, 2026, 10:36 PM Tuesday

California Rep. Doug LaMalfa's death leaves a vacant House seat.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s unexpected death on Monday has created a vacancy in the House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has some control over when the seat will be filled.

Here’s what to know:

What does this do to the House majority?
LaMalfa’s death shrinks Republicans’ narrow majority in the House to 218 seats over Democrats’ 213. That could be reduced even further as Democrats are expected to win another seat in a special election in Texas later this month.

That means the party has less room for dissent among its members as Speaker Mike Johnson tries to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda ahead of the midterm elections, when the party in power historically loses.

When will LaMalfa’s seat be filled?
Under California law, Newsom has 14 days to set a date for a special election to fill the remainder of LaMalfa’s term. But he can leave the seat vacant for a few months.

He could set the special election as early as May or opt for June, when California will hold its primary for the 2026 midterm. The top two candidates then face off in a runoff election if no one gets at least 50% of the vote.

That means LaMalfa’s constituents will have to choose two representatives this year: One to finish LaMalfa’s term and one to serve starting in 2027.

>>>>complete article at link

https://apnews.com/article/special-election-house-vacant-seat-lamalfa-california-29c6eb417e4c39402ad3c26cba6fd1df

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Maybe it’ll be 217 to 213 with MYG gone.

4 replies

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California Rep. Doug LaMalfa's death leaves a vacant House seat. (Original Post) iluvtennis Tuesday OP

No matter how you slice it, MAGA Mike is FUCKED! ProudMNDemocrat Tuesday #1

Will this special election fall under the "new" districts drawn to favor Democrats? Marie Marie Tuesday #2

no. special election follows 'old' district boundary lines stopdiggin Tuesday #4

it's even more complicated than that. MANY of LaMalfa's constituents stopdiggin Tuesday #3

ProudMNDemocrat

(20,630 posts)

1. No matter how you slice it, MAGA Mike is FUCKED!

Reply to iluvtennis (Original post)

Tue Jan 6, 2026, 10:48 PM

Tuesday

Any chance of getting Democrats on board to pass Republican bills that do NOTHING to help the American people, will be a waste of time. MAGA Mike would rather recess Congress until after the mid-terms than accept defeat.

MAGAts will so all they can to blame Democrats for their failure to govern. But the American people can see with their own eyes what is happening. The shutdown was NOT the fault of the Democrats. Nor will the next one.

Marie Marie

(10,899 posts)

2. Will this special election fall under the "new" districts drawn to favor Democrats?

Reply to iluvtennis (Original post)

Tue Jan 6, 2026, 11:22 PM

Tuesday

stopdiggin

(15,043 posts)

4. no. special election follows 'old' district boundary lines

Reply to Marie Marie (Reply #2)

Tue Jan 6, 2026, 11:32 PM

Tuesday

And - depending on the 'timing' - could possibly run concurrently with primaries involving 'new' district boundaries.

stopdiggin

(15,043 posts)

3. it's even more complicated than that. MANY of LaMalfa's constituents

Reply to iluvtennis (Original post)

Tue Jan 6, 2026, 11:28 PM

Tuesday

will be voting both for a LaMalfa replacement - AND in a primary involving a different district (and different candidates) - completely apart from and separate of the old LaMalfa stronghold.

a) Old district replacement (sitting approx. 6-7 months, and less if a run-off is necessary ?) until 26 term expires
b) Primary for new district lines, involving new slate (and possibly some of same slate ?) of primary candidates seeking a slot on Nov ballot - and 2027-28 term.

And you thought some of the mopes were a might confused before .... ?

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