Luke Letlow: Elected Congressman dies aged 41 after contracting Covid
Luke Letlow is the first lawmaker to have died from the coronavirus
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Your support makes all the difference.Congressman-elect Luke Letlow on Tuesday died from complications related to Covid-19, days before he was to be sworn in as the representative for Louisiana. Letlow is the first member of the US Congress to die from the infection.
"Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, passed away this evening at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport due to complications from COVID-19," his spokesperson Andrew Bautsch wrote in a post on the deceased Republican's Facebook page.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time. A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time,” said the statement.
The Republican on 18 December had announced that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was being treated in the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Letlow, who previously served as the chief of staff to former Representative Ralph Abraham, was elected in his place to fight the election and was due to be sworn in as the representative for Louisiana's 5th district on Sunday.
Though several lawmakers, including President Donald Trump, have tested positive for the coronavirus, Letlow is the first member-elect to die from the virus.
Offering his condolence, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted, “Covid-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon. I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a US Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family.”
The governor also ordered that “flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Congressman-elect Letlow’s funeral."
The Congressional delegation of Louisiana in a statement to the Associated Press said: “Luke had such a positive spirit, and a tremendously bright future ahead of him. He was looking forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress, and we were excited to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our nation."
US House leaders also offered their condolences to the family.
“May it be a comfort to Luke’s wife Julia and their children Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
The pandemic has so far claimed over 1.7 million lives globally with over 349,000 deaths in the US.
This article was updated on 4.1.21 to correct the total number given for the US Covid-related deaths.
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