BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Condolences continue to pour in for Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died Tuesday after a short battle with COVID-19.
The 41-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 on December 18 and was admitted to a Shreveport ICU just before Christmas.
Letlow was set to be sworn-in to the United States Congress on Monday.
News of Letlow’s death sent shockwaves across the state, with a number of current and former state leaders offering their prayers and condolences to Letlow’s family.
Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, led by House Minority Whip Steve Scalise released the following joint statement:
Senator Bill Cassidy released the following statement:
The Louisiana GOP released the following statement:
We are devastated by the news of Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow’s passing. We have lost a rising political star and a good friend. He was a loving husband and father, and we ask for your prayers for his family at this difficult time.
Attorney General Jeff Landry released the following statement:
Luke Letlow led an honorable life in public service to our State and our Nation. Luke was a true statesman committed to making Louisiana better. Luke’s death is a great tragedy, and Sharon’s and my prayers are with Julia and the kids.
Stephen Waguespack, President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry released the following statement:
Tonight, Louisiana lost a great man. A promising public servant, a loving husband and father, a Louisianan through and through. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family and my most sincerest appreciation for having known him and the privilege of calling him a friend. Louisiana needs more men like Luke and I pray that his legacy will serve as a role model for others to follow in his footsteps.
Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal released the following statement:
Supriya and I are heartbroken to learn of Luke Letlow’s passing. Luke has been a good friend for so many years, and we are saddened he was taken from us at such a young age. We had talked in recent days about his excitement about the opportunity to serve the people of the 5th Congressional district, and his love and devotion for Julia and their kids. I first met Luke when he was still a college student, and spent countless hours with him in his truck driving the back roads of Louisiana. His passion for service has been a constant throughout his life.