CBS News projects that Republican Julia Letlow will win the special election for the fifth district of Louisiana, taking over the candidacy of her late husband, Luke Letlow, who died of complications from COVID-19 days before being invested.
She will be the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress and will increase the number of Republican women currently serving in the house to a record 31.
“This is an amazing time and it’s really hard to say,” Letlow said in a statement Saturday night. “What was born 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 the 5th district of Louisiana. I feel humiliated that you trust me to “Honor your vote and the privilege of serving you in Congress. A simple thank you does not completely encapsulate the depth of my gratitude.”
Letlow was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, as well as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and whip Steve Scalise. The potential Republican candidate of 2024 and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley also supported her.
Her husband was on his way to succeed Rep. Ralph Abraham for the great Northeast Louisiana seat after winning the GOP runoff in early December 2020. He had previously worked as a campaign manager and chief of staff. of Abraham. He died on December 29, 2020 at the age of 41.
In his campaign announcement, Letlow said he “ran to continue the mission Luke began: to defend our Christian values, to fight for our rural farming communities, and to deliver real results to advance our state.”
He had indicated that he would run to keep the seat in 2022.