LaMalfa: ‘Texas shouldn't be doing that

Yahoo

4 days ago

First District Congressman Doug LaMalfa this morning said he is opposed to an attempt in Texas to reshape congressional districts to give the Republican Party an advantage in the 2026 election.
At the end of a raucous 90 minute town hall meeting at the Chico Elks Lodge Monday morning, LaMalfa responded to a direct question about his opinion on the Texas redistricting plan.
'Texas shouldn't be doing that,' LaMalfa said. 'California shouldn't be doing this. This is going to start a grass fire all across the country, every single state will try to change it based on a political outcome."
LaMalfa's district is one of five identified for a potential redistricting by vote in a special California election that would occur if Texas proceeds with its plans to redistrict. LaMalfa said he supports the decision of the California voters to place redistricting in the hands of a non-partisan commission and warned that an attempt to redraw California's boundaries mid-decade would be "trampling the people's voice on this.
"Texas shouldn't be doing it, either," LaMalfa said.
LaMalfa heard comments and took questions from a decidedly anti-president crowd of more than 1,000. The session began with a loud boo for an opening prayer, impatience for the presentation of the American flag by Chico veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1555, and a yell to "Let's Go."
"Good morning, everybody," the Congressman said to a smattering of applause and boos. "It might be the only applause of the day," he joked.
After brief remarks, LaMalfa turned the meeting over to comments and questions, which lasted about 85 minutes. Those attending the event were provided red and green cards to hold in the air to signify whether they (green) agreed with what was being said at the time or (red) disagreed. If the cards were intended to keep the audience from getting loud, it didn't work.
"You're not here to talk about the weather," one attendee shouted when LaMalfa opened with a mention of the forecast for a 103 degree day.
"If we want to have a productive discussion it needs to be civil right," the congressman said. "So whoever has the microphone whether it is me or someone making the comments or making the questions why don't we conduct ourselves where one person at a time gets to speak and that will work a heck of a lot better.
Repeatedly interrupted with shouts of "liar," LaMalfa said, "Ninety minutes is all we get so if you want to waste it go ahead. If you cant contain yourself, I don't know man."
The biggest boos were reserved for discussions around Medicaid and the "Big Beautiful Bill."
Most of the comments criticized the congress member for supporting the agenda of the current president. Anytime the congressman spoke, he was met with jeers.
Chuck Reynolds, who described himself as a member of the Oroville City Council, however, felt compelled to apologize to the congressman for the opinions and behavior of the audience members."We actually really appreciate you congressman and having experienced serving in office I tell you this is the typical crowd basing 90 percent of its opinion one the one percent of the information.
Reynolds called the crowd out for its "rude behavior, and I apologize on behalf of Butte County."
Reynolds called the crowd out for its 'rude behavior, and I apologize on behalf of Butte County.'
'If you met with us more often, we might not have to yell out our disgruntlement,' responded the next person to comment.
LaMalfa, a Republican from Richvale in Butte County, represents all of Sutter and Colusa counties and a large portion of Yuba County. The First District is a reliable safe Republican district after the redistricting which occurred following the 2020 census.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for a special election in November 2025 asking California voters to approve a redistricting plan to offset attempts by Texas to redraw districts to add five Republican friendly districts to aid GOP chances in the 2026 election. The governor said the California redistricting, if approved by voters, would only go into effect if Texas proceeds with its plans.
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