LaMalfa resigns from Senate

State Sen. Doug LaMalfa, a North State representative in Sacramento for most of the last decade, announced he will resign at the end of the session Friday.

LaMalfa is running to replace Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, for the newly drawn 1st Congressional District, so the resignation is largely a procedural move to allow the state to consolidate the election for his vacated seat.

"I decided to do this now at the close of this year's session. This is the ideal window that gives those who want to run for my seat time to do so before the election," LaMalfa said.

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, is expected to be one of the people seeking LaMalfa's seat.

LaMalfa, R-Richvale, said this move will save the taxpayers $2 million by not having to pay for a special election if he were to wait until after Nov. 6 to resign.

"I see this as the right time as it is a quiet time in Sacramento with the session closed. I have voted on what needed to be voted on, worked on legislation that needed to be worked on and my job this year is done. A new senator could be sworn in and ready to work when the session reconvenes in January," LaMalfa stated.

LaMalfa said he met with Gov. Jerry Brown to discuss his decision and was told to "move quickly" so the election could be consolidated.

He was also assured by the Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, that the district offices will remain open in the interim. "This way our constituents will continue to have a place to go to receive assistance with state issues," LaMalfa said in a statement.

LaMalfa was elected to the state Assembly in 2002 and left in 2008 due to term limits.

In 2010, he was elected to the 4th Senate District, and is midway through his term. The special election will fill the remaining two years of his senate term.

If a candidate receives more than 50 percent in the special primary, there is no run-off and that candidate will become the next senator, according to LaMalfa's office.

A fourth generation rice farmer, LaMalfa is a lifelong resident of Northern California. He attended local schools, and earned a bachelor's degree in ag-business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

He and his wife, Jill, have four children.