Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow and wife Julia Barnhill Letlow, July 22, 2020.
Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has died from COVID-19 at the age of 41. Letlow was set to be sworn in next week after he was elected in December by voters in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Letlow was admitted to a Monroe hospital on December 19th after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was later sent to Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport and placed into intensive care. The Republican from Richland Parish died on Tuesday from complications related to COVID-19.
The chancellor of LSU-Shreveport G.E. Ghali told the Advocate’s Sam Karlin that Letlow did not have any underlying conditions and his death was all covid related.
Letlow is survived by his wife and two young children.
Letlow’s spokesperson Andrew Bautsch released this statement.
“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.
A joint statement from Louisiana’s congressional delegation.
“We are devasted to her of Luke Letlow’s passing. 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 were excited to welcome him to our delegation, where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our Nation. More than anything, Luke was a loving husband, father, brother, and son, and his family–like so many others who have been affected by this evil disease-need our prayers.”
Governor John Bel Edwards has ordered flags to be flown at half staff on the day of Congressman-elect Letlow’s funeral. He also offered this statement.
“It is with heavy hearts that Donna and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s family on his passing after a battle with COVID-19. Congressman-elect Letlow felt a calling from a young age to serve the people of his home state, working behind the scenes for former Governor Bobby Jindal and serving as chief of staff to Congressman Ralph Abraham, who he was recently elected to succeed. 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 U.S. Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family. I hope all of the people of Louisiana will join Donna and me in praying for Congressman-elect Letlow’s family, especially his wife Julia and their two children, his many friends and the people of the 5th Congressional District. Louisiana has lost more than 7,300 people to COVID-19 since March, and each one of them leaves a tremendous hole in our state.”
Comments