A congressman-elect from Louisiana in the United States died Tuesday evening from complications of Covid-19 days before he was set to be sworn into office, his spokesman announced.
He was 41.
Luke Letlow, a Republican, was elected to represent Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in a runoff this month.
A spokesman, Andrew Bautsch, confirmed Letlow’s death at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport on Letlow’s Facebook page.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” Bautsch said in a statement. “A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.”
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two young children, Bautsch said.
He died less than a week before the new Congress is to be sworn in on Jan. 3.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged people in the state to pray for Letlow’s family, and he will order flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of his funeral.
