Republican Rep. Ron Wright of Texas has died after getting hospitalized due to COVID-19, according to a statement by his congressional office.
The statement read, “Congressman Ron Wright passed away peacefully at the age of 67 on Feb. 7, 2021. His wife Susan was by his side and he is now in the presence of their Lord and Savior. For the previous two weeks, Ron and Susan had been admitted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas after contracting COVID-19.”
Wright’s congressional office announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on January 21. He said, “I am experiencing minor symptoms, but overall, I feel okay and will continue working for the people of the 6th District from home this week.”
On Monday, Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, said, “Our hearts are heavy with the news of Ron’s passing. Judy and I send our heartfelt prayers to Susan and their children during this very difficult time.”
“Ron Wright was a fighter who passionately served his constituents, Texas, and America,” McCarthy added.
In a statement, President Joe Biden said Wright was “a fighter who battled bravely against both cancer and COVID-19, diseases that our nation will continue working tirelessly every day to defeat in the memory of all those we have lost. Our prayers are with Ron’s wife, Susan, their three children, and their nine grandchildren.”
The statement from Wright’s office on Monday also noted that the congressman has also battled cancer.
It said, “Over the past few years, Congressman Wright had kept a rigorous work schedule on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and at home in Texas’ Congressional District 6 while being treated for cancer.” In July 2019, Wright announced he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. And the next year, he had a series of complications with his radiation therapy, leading to his hospitalization.
