Louisiana Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow Has Died After Battle With COVID-19

Louisiana Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow has died after being hospitalized for the last week and a half with COVID-19.

Letlow was transferred to ICU at Ochsner Health in Shreveport on Tuesday after he was hospitalized on the 19th in Monroe.

Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two children.

He was recently elected to represent Louisiana's 5th Congressional District.

A spokesman for Letlow, Andrew Bautsch, posted the following on the Congressman-Elect's Facebook page:

"Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, passed away this evening at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport due to complications from COVID-19.

Letlow was admitted into a Monroe hospital on December 19 after testing positive for the coronavirus and was transferred to Ochsner-LSU Health on Tuesday, December 22, and placed in intensive care. Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, Phd., and two young children.

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."

The entire Louisiana Delegation, which consists of Senators Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Congressmen Cedric Richmond, Ralph Abraham, Garret Graves, Clay Higgins, Mike Johnson, and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, released the following statement on Letlow's passing:

"We are devastated to hear 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 we 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 - needs our prayers. We all join in sending our strongest support to Luke's wife Julia and their young family, and are keeping them in our prayers."

Governor John Bel Edwards also offered his condolences on the Letlow's passing.