Republican Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, died from the coronavirus Tuesday night, the Monroe News-Star reported.
Letlow tested positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 18. He began to quarantine at his home in the Richland Parish. On Dec. 19 he was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe because of his symptoms. Eventually the congressman-elect was transferred to the Ochsner Lousiana State University Health ICU. He remained at LSU, where he eventually passed.
He is survived by his wife Julia and his two young children, three-year-old Jeremiah, and 11-month-old Jacqueline. The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time, the family said in a statement. A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.
News of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing from complications related to COVID-19 has rocked the 5
th District with residents in mourning.
The 41-year-old Letlow leaves behind a young family: his wife Dr. Julia Letlow and their two children Jaqueline and Jeremiah.
“Just, just tragic, just real tragic and it brings home the seriousness of COVID and this virus that is sweeping the world,” said ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockely.
Accolades and condolences have rolled in from across the political spectrum this morning including from Speaker Pelosi, Governor Edwards, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, and others.
Letlow entered politics working for then-Congressman Jindal in 2005 before following him to the Governor’s mansion until 2010. After a stint in the private sector, he returned to politics in 2014 to run Congressman Ralph Abraham’s election campaign, eventually becoming his Chief of Staff before winning the 5
Melinda Deslatte/AP
toggle caption Melinda Deslatte/AP
Louisiana s Congressman-elect Luke Letlow announced on Dec. 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized a day later. Melinda Deslatte/AP
Updated at 6:30 a.m. ET
Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won a runoff earlier this month to represent Louisiana s northeastern 5th District, died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19.
Letlow was set to be sworn in as U.S. representative on Jan. 3. The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time, Andrew Bautsch, Letlow s spokesman, said in a statement announcing his death. A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.
A 41-year-old Republican who had just won a congressional seat in Louisiana’s 5th district has died tonight from coronavirus, just days before he was to be sworn in. Below is the statement from his campaign manager, Andrew Bautsch:
“Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, passed away this evening at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport due to complications from COVID-19.
“Letlow was admitted into a Monroe Hospital on December 19 after testing positive for the coronavirus and was transferred to Ochsner-LSU Health on Tuesday, December 22, and placed in intensive care.
“Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, Phd., and two young children.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time.
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