Just days before he was due to be sworn in in Congress, 41-year-old MP Luke Letlow (R-LA) died in an intensive care unit at a Louisiana hospital “from complications from COVID-19,” spokesman Andrew Bautsch confirmed Wednesday.
Letlow announced on December 18 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus and reported to the Ochsner LSU Health ICU in Shreveport on December 23. His wife Julia Barnhill Letlow and two children survive.
A special election will be held to fill Letlow’s newly vacated seat. He was elected in a runoff on December 5, replacing retired MP Ralph Abraham, for whom he had previously worked as chief of staff.
pic.twitter.com/7mDgswOYrL
– Luke Letlow (@LukeLetlow) December 23, 2020
For those who have already had Covid, your plasma is especially needed by those who are suffering. I cannot stress this enough. Please remember to save lives by going out and donating at your local blood bank.
– Luke Letlow (@LukeLetlow) December 21, 2020
The Louisiana delegation said in their statement: “We are devastated to hear of Luke Letlow’s death. Luke had such a positive spirit and an incredibly bright future ahead of him. He looked forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress, and we were pleased to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and nation. First and foremost, Luke was a loving husband, father, brother, and son, and his family – like so many others affected by this nasty disease – need our prayers. We all support Luke’s wife Julia and her young family emphatically and hold them fast in our prayers. “
Devastated to hear of the death of my elected congressman Luke Letlow. Luke had such a positive spirit and an incredibly bright future. Pray with me for his young family at this incredibly difficult time.
Declaration by the Louisiana Congressional Delegation: pic.twitter.com/cB5RNd6uew
– Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) December 30, 2020
Louisiana Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards offered condolences to the elected Congressman’s family shortly after his death was announced on Twitter, saying, “Louisiana has lost more than 7,300 people to COVID-19 since March, and each one of them leaves behind a huge hole in our state. “
Edwards ordered “flags to be hoisted over half the staff on the day of Congress-elect Letlow’s funeral.”
“Luke leaves a legacy of service, a love for his community, and a love and understanding for people from all walks of life that will forever be unmatched,” said Edwards.
Elected Congressman Letlow felt called at an early age to serve the people of his home state, work behind the scenes for former Governor Bobby Jindal, and serve as chief of staff for Congressman Ralph Abraham, whom he had recently successfully elected. #lagov
– John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) December 30, 2020
I hope that everyone in Louisiana will join Donna and I in praying for Letlow’s family, especially his wife Julia and their two children, his many friends, and the people of the 5th Congressional District. #lagov
– John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) December 30, 2020
I ordered flags to be hoisted half-staff on the day of Congress-elected Letlow’s funeral. #lagov
– John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) December 30, 2020
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