California Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death leaves a vacant House seat. What happens next?

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...