Minnesota state lawmaker dies from complications of COVID-19

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Minnesota state lawmaker Jerry Relph (R) died Friday from complications of the coronavirus, according to the family and the majority of the state Senate.

According to MPR News, Relph, who was a first-term state senator, is the first legislator in the state whose death is related to COVID-19.

“Jerry dedicated his life to service and representing the 14th district of the Senate was one of the highest honors he had,” his wife, Pegi Broker-Relph, said in a statement, according to MPR News. “I can’t count the number of times I would come home at night and talk to me about helping solve a voter’s problem, or a story they heard from someone at a parade or a public event, or even just someone he met during a “hill day” event. He loved serving the people of St. Cloud in the Senate, and he took great care of them. ”

He was elected in 2016 to the Minnesota Senate, where he filled a vacancy after the incumbent failed to run for re-election. He defeated Dan Wolgamott, who now serves at the Minnesota House. Relph was 76 years old and a Vietnam War veteran.

The lawmaker went to the emergency room twice in November for coronavirus-related symptoms, but was never hospitalized, even after a positive diagnosis. After that, his family remained private about Relph’s state, the media reported.

State lawmakers shared their condolences and memories of Relph on social media.

He is survived by his wife, four stepchildren and two adult children, MPR News reported.

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