Letlow Wins Louisiana Special House Election to Replace Late Husband

Julia Letlow, candidate for Louisiana USA 5th congressional district, on Jan. 14, 2021. Courtesy of Julia Letlow for Congress

Republican Julia Letlow, the widow of a Louisiana congressman-elect who died last year from complications related to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, won a special election on March 20 to replace him in the U.S. Congress.

Letlow topped 11 other contenders to receive 65 percent of the vote in the 5th Congressional District race, according to the Louisiana Department of State.

“This is an incredible moment and it is truly hard to put into words,” Letlow said in a statement. “What was born out of the terrible tragedy of losing my husband, Luke, has become my mission in his honor to carry the torch and serve the good people of Louisiana’s 5th District.

“I am humbled that you would entrust me with the honor of your vote and the privilege to serve you in Congress. A simple thank you doesn’t fully encapsulate the depth of my gratitude.”

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Letlow on March 10 and boosted her again during the election on March 20.

“Julia Letlow is outstanding and so necessary to help save our Second Amendment, at the Border, and for our Military and Vets. Louisiana, get out and vote today—she will never disappoint!” the former president said in a statement on March 20.

Luke Letlow died in December 2020—just days before he was to be sworn into office—from a heart attack that was “likely related to thromboembolic phenomena caused by COVID-19,” the doctor in charge of the hospital where he was being treated confirmed in an email. He was 41.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP virus.

Julia Letlow announced in January that she would run for the seat vacated by her husband.

“I am running to continue the mission Luke started—to stand up for our Christian values, to fight for our rural agricultural communities, and to deliver real results to move our state forward,” she said in a statement at the time.

Letlow’s victory marks the first successful post-presidential Trump endorsement of a congressional candidate. The former president has also endorsed Republican candidates in five U.S. Senate races and one other U.S. House race.