Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dead from Coronavirus-19
Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dead from Coronavirus-19
The Republican congressman-elect died from coronavirus-related complications.
2 min read
Luke Letlow [Getty]
Luke Letlow, the incoming Republican member of the US House of Representatives for the state of Louisiana, has died from complications related to Covid-19, only days before being sworn into office.
He was 41.
His spokesman confirmed the congressman-elect's death at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport in a statement on Tuesday.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two children.
In a statement, Louisiana's eight-member Congressional delegation called Letlow's death devastating.
Posting their statement on Twitter, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise said Letlow "had such a positive spirit and a tremendously bright future".
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged people to pray for Letlow’s family.
"Covid-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon," the Democratic governor said.
"I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family."
"Devastated to hear of my friend Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's passing. Luke had such a positive spirit and a tremendously bright future. Join me in praying for his young family during this incredibly difficult time," tweeted the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
The state's newest congressman, set to take office in January, was admitted to a Monroe hospital on 19 December after testing positive for Covid-19.
He was later transferred to the Shreveport facility and placed in intensive care.
Letlow, from the small town of Start in Richland Parish, was elected in a December runoff election for the 5th District US House seat representing central and northeastern regions of the state, including the cities of Monroe and Alexandria.
He was to fill the seat being vacated by his boss, Republican Ralph Abraham.
Letlow had been Abraham's chief of staff and ran with his backing for the job.
He was 41.
His spokesman confirmed the congressman-elect's death at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport in a statement on Tuesday.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two children.
In a statement, Louisiana's eight-member Congressional delegation called Letlow's death devastating.
Posting their statement on Twitter, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise said Letlow "had such a positive spirit and a tremendously bright future".
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged people to pray for Letlow’s family.
"Covid-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon," the Democratic governor said.
|
"I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family."
"Devastated to hear of my friend Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's passing. Luke had such a positive spirit and a tremendously bright future. Join me in praying for his young family during this incredibly difficult time," tweeted the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
The state's newest congressman, set to take office in January, was admitted to a Monroe hospital on 19 December after testing positive for Covid-19.
He was later transferred to the Shreveport facility and placed in intensive care.
Letlow, from the small town of Start in Richland Parish, was elected in a December runoff election for the 5th District US House seat representing central and northeastern regions of the state, including the cities of Monroe and Alexandria.
He was to fill the seat being vacated by his boss, Republican Ralph Abraham.
Letlow had been Abraham's chief of staff and ran with his backing for the job.
More In News
![Squad incumbent Summer Lee has won her district's Democratic primary. [Brooke Anderson/The New Arab]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2024-04/413898031_1041031157158522_8195934720767720634_n%20%283%29.jpg?h=ff8c3fa3&itok=ZBCUcSiz)