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Louisiana’s latest Republican member of the U.S. Home has died from problems associated to COVID-19
BATON ROUGE, La. — Luke Letlow, Louisiana’s incoming Republican member of the U.S. Home, has died from problems associated to COVID-19 solely days earlier than he would have been sworn into workplace. He was 41.
The congressman-elect died at Ochsner-LSU Well being Shreveport on Tuesday, based on his spokesman Andrew Bautsch.
“The household appreciates the quite a few prayers and help over the previous days however asks for privateness throughout this tough and sudden time,” Bautsch stated in an announcement.
Louisiana’s eight-member congressional delegation referred to as Letlow’s dying devastating.
“Luke had such a constructive spirit, and a tremendously vivid future forward of him,” the delegation stated in a written assertion. “He was trying ahead to serving the folks of Louisiana in Congress, and we had been excited to welcome him to our delegation the place he was able to make a good higher affect on our state and our nation.”
U.S. Home leaders additionally provided their condolences.
“Could it’s a consolation to Luke’s spouse Julia and their youngsters Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this unhappy time,” stated Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy stated: “Our hearts break tonight as we course of the information of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing.”
Gov. John Bel Edwards urged folks to wish for Letlow’s household.
“COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too quickly,” the Democratic governor stated in an announcement. “I’m heartbroken that he won’t be able to serve our folks as a U.S. consultant, however I’m much more devastated for his loving household.”
The governor intends to name a March particular election to fill the congressional seat, based on his spokeswoman, Christina Stephens.
Letlow was admitted to a Monroe hospital on Dec. 19 after testing constructive for the coronavirus. He was later transferred to the Shreveport facility and positioned in intensive care.
Dr. G.E. Ghali, of LSU Well being Shreveport, instructed The Advocate that Letlow did not have any underlying well being situations that may have positioned him at higher danger of growing problems from COVID-19.
Letlow, from the small city of Begin in Richland Parish, was elected in a December runoff election for the sprawling fifth District U.S. Home seat representing central and northeastern areas of the state, together with the cities of Monroe and Alexandria. He would have been sworn in subsequent week.
Letlow was going to fill the seat being vacated by his boss, Republican Ralph Abraham. He had been Abraham’s chief of employees and ran with Abraham’s backing for the job.
“There aren’t any phrases for this loss,” Abraham posted on Fb. “There was nobody like Luke Letlow, and there was nobody who liked this state and its folks extra. Luke was part of our household, and we’re so extremely happy with the person he was.”
Earlier than working for Abraham, Letlow had labored for former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration.
Letlow is one in all greater than 7,000 folks in Louisiana who’ve died from COVID-19 since March, based on knowledge from the state well being division.
Different Louisiana officers who’ve contracted the virus for the reason that pandemic started embrace U.S. Sen. Invoice Cassidy, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Legal professional Basic Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson and U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond.
Cassidy, a Republican and physician who examined constructive for the virus earlier this 12 months and has since recovered, posted in a Twitter video: “It simply, simply, simply, simply brings dwelling COVID can kill. For most folk it does not, nevertheless it actually can. So, as you bear in mind Luke, his widow, his youngsters in your prayers, bear in mind as properly to watch out with COVID.”
Letlow is survived by his spouse, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two youngsters.
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Comply with Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte
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