Congressman-elect Luke Letlow passed away after suffering from COVID complications, according to his spokesperson.
Letlow’s spokesperson Andrew Bautsch wrote 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.”
Bautsch added, “Letlow’s family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time.”
On December 18, Letlow had announced his COVID diagnosis on his Facebook page, writing that he was “at home resting, following all CDC guidelines, quarantine protocols, and the recommendations of my doctors.”
A few days later, Letlow said he was undergoing treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe. On December 23, he was transferred to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center.
Dr. G.E. Ghali, Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport, said at the time that Letlow was in “stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit” and was receiving the drug Remdesivir and steroids as part of his treatment.
Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican of Louisiana, tweeted, “Luke Letlow is now with our Creator, but his premature departure from this world is a huge loss to Louisiana and America. Just weeks ago, voters overwhelmingly chose Luke to represent them in Congress.”
“They saw what so many of us know of Luke – kind, smart, quick-witted, God-fearing, hard-working, honest and just a good guy,” he added.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat, said in a tweet, “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. He was a promising young leader who loved Louisiana deeply. Our prayers go out to his family and loved ones.”
Sen. John Kennedy tweeted that he was “heartbroken” by the news. He said, “For years, Luke has served LA tirelessly. More than that, Luke was a loving husband and father. Please join us in praying for the Letlow family during this time of incredible loss.”
On Tuesday evening, the Republican Party of Louisiana praised Letlow as a “rising political star and a good friend.”
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-staff on the day of Letlow’s funeral, according to CNN.
The United States has reported more than 19 million COVID cases, with over 346,000 deaths.
