SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher is mourning the death of his mentor, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a longtime lawmaker known for his deep ties to rural Northern California and his relentless focus on constituent service.

LaMalfa died Tuesday at Enloe Hospital after a medical emergency. He served the North State for more than two decades at both the state and federal levels. His death sparked an outpouring of bipartisan praise from colleagues who described him as principled, approachable, and tireless.

Friends and former colleagues said LaMalfa built his career on personal connections. He spent countless hours driving across his vast district, often behind the wheel of his Mustang, to meet voters where they lived.

“In this environment, you will probably never find anybody saying a negative word about Doug,” said Tony Strickland, a Republican state senator who roomed with LaMalfa in the early 2000s when both served in the California Legislature. “Democrats and Republicans love Doug LaMalfa.”

Strickland said LaMalfa officiated his wedding and remained a close friend for decades. He described LaMalfa as thoughtful, loyal, and deeply committed to public service.

Gallagher said LaMalfa hired him in the early 2000s and guided him throughout his political career. The assemblyman called LaMalfa a mentor who shaped how he approaches representing constituents. “If everybody represented their district as Doug did, we would be in a much better place,” Gallagher said.

Both men said LaMalfa never lost focus on the needs of rural Northern California. They pointed to his work on water storage, wildfire prevention, and forest management as defining priorities. Gallagher said LaMalfa often met with Gov. Gavin Newsom in Sacramento to explain the state’s complex water system. He pushed for better infrastructure, including the proposed Sites Reservoir, to protect communities and farms in the North State.

In their final conversations with LaMalfa, both Strickland and Gallagher said he remained optimistic and determined. He planned to campaign aggressively in newly added, more liberal parts of his district after redistricting under Proposition 50.

“I talked to him about a week and a half ago, and he said even with the uphill battle, he was going to fight for his constituents,” Strickland said. “He was committed. He was ready to take on that fight and run.”

Gallagher recalled LaMalfa’s confidence and trademark energy.

“He felt like, ‘I can go win those people over,’” Gallagher said. “He was going to drive over to Sonoma County, hit the barbecues, go to the parades, meet people, and earn their support.”

When asked which policy he might pursue in LaMalfa’s honor, Gallagher laughed. He pointed to a bill that has followed both men for years: eight-letter license plates.

“He really wanted to have eight-letter license plates,” Gallagher said. “I’ve been running this bill for about three years now.”

LaMalfa first introduced the idea in 2011. The proposal would allow drivers to use an extra character on personalized California license plates. Supporters say the change could generate more revenue for the state by expanding customization options. The Department of Motor Vehicles has opposed the idea, citing logistical challenges. Despite the resistance, Gallagher continues to push the bill. The proposal, known as AB 1091, is scheduled for a hearing on Monday afternoon.

“It’s a heavy lift,” Gallagher said. “But maybe the eight-letter license plate might get through in memory of Doug LaMalfa.”

Colleagues also remembered LaMalfa’s love of NASCAR, country music, and long drives across the district. They said those drives reflected his hands-on approach to leadership.

For many in California politics, LaMalfa’s legacy goes beyond any single bill. It rests on his dedication to rural communities, his bipartisan respect, and his belief in meeting voters face to face. As lawmakers prepare to honor his life, Gallagher said he hopes to carry forward LaMalfa’s example.

“He showed us how to represent people,” Gallagher said. “That’s what I’ll remember most.”