Congressman-Elect Letlow Dies of Complications from COVID-19

December 30, 2020 by Dan McCue
Congressman-Elect Letlow Dies of Complications from COVID-19
Luke Letlow, R-Start, speaks after signing up to run for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District, on July 22, 2020, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte)

Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, died Tuesday at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, La., due to complications of COVID-19, just weeks after successfully competing in a runoff election for his seat.

The 41-year-old Republican is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two young children — Jeremiah, 3, and Jacqueline, 11 months.

“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” said Letlow’s spokesman, Andrew Bautsch, in a written statement.

Letlow announced Dec. 18 that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantining at his Richland Parish home.

However, the following day he was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, La., before ultimately being transferred to Shreveport.

LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor G.E. Ghali told USA Today that Letlow died from a heart attack following a procedure related to the infection.

“It’s devastating to our entire team,” Ghali said. “He had no underlying conditions. It was just COVID.”

Upon learning of the congressman-elect’s passing, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Letlow was “taken … 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,” Edwards said.

“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,” the governor added.

Letlow won the 5th Congressional District seat with 62% of the vote Dec. 5 in a runoff election against fellow Republican state Rep. Lance Harris of Alexandria.

He would have succeeded his former boss Rep. Ralph Abraham, who didn’t seek reelection after honoring a pledge to serve a limit of three terms.

Letlow had been Abraham’s chief of staff.

“I’m ready to get to work, and I am focused on bringing jobs, investment and opportunity to our district. Each and every person across our rural landscape, whether it’s Bastrop, Bunkie, Bogalusa or all the places in between, has my word that I will never stop fighting to move Louisiana’s 5th District forward,” Letlow said after his victory.

The district is largely rural, containing all or part of 24 parishes, the Mississippi River delta region and the cities of Monroe and Alexandria.

In an appearance on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends” Wednesday morning, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., said word of Letlow’s death is “devastating.”

“He’s been fighting, he was battling in the hospital up in Shreveport and, you know, had taken a turn for the worse right before Christmas,” Scalise said. “It was going up and down. And, you know, it was just heartbreaking.

“I mean, Luke is a young guy, 41 years old, in great health, and looking forward to a bright future. He had just gotten elected to Congress three weeks ago,” the Republican Whip continued. “We would talk a lot about the things he wanted to do, the committees he wanted to get on. Boy, talk about a loss of someone with so much energy. He’s got a beautiful young family. I know my prayers are with Julia, his two young kids. You know, everything about this is just heart breaking.

“Our whole delegation is devastated. Luke is just, you know, one of those people that everybody liked and, boy, he was really looking forward to the opportunity to serve in Congress and just a tragic loss,” Scalise said.

A+
a-
  • Congress
  • COVID-19
  • Death
  • Louisiana
  • Luke Letlow
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Congress

    July 11, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    New Dems Roundtable Focuses on ‘Big Bill’s’ Impact on Clean Energy

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about why they believe the sweeping domestic policy package their Republican colleagues passed last week will stymie the growth of a new, clean energy economy. The event... Read More

    Democrats See Trump’s Big Bill as Key to Their Comeback

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax... Read More

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax break and spending cut package passed by Trump's Republican allies in Congress on Thursday represents the key to the Democratic Party's resurgence. Even before the final vote,... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    House Passes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ White House Signing Ceremony Planned for Friday

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where... Read More

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where President Donald Trump is planning a signing ceremony for Friday. The 218-214 vote in the chamber was a high victory for both the president and House... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    Bipartisan Support Grows for Keeping AM Radio in Cars

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build behind legislation that would force automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge to consumers. At present, the proposed AM Radio... Read More

    House Republicans Race Toward a Final Vote on Trump's Tax Bill, Daring Critics to Oppose

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's tax and spending... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's tax and spending cuts package, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.... Read More

    June 26, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    Harlem Hellfighters to Receive Congressional Gold Medal in September

    WASHINGTON — Their bravery knew no bounds during the first World War, and come September the descendants of the Harlem... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Their bravery knew no bounds during the first World War, and come September the descendants of the Harlem Hellfighters will finally see their heroic loved ones receive the Congressional Gold Medal for their tenacity and sacrifice. The Hellfighters, for those not up on their... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top