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CBS News projects Republican Julia Letlow will win the Louisiana 5th District special election, taking the seat from her late husband, Luke Letlow, who died of complications from COVID-19 days before he could be sworn in.
She will be the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress and bring the number of Republican women currently serving in the House to a record 31.
“It’s an amazing time and it’s really hard to put into words,” Letlow said in a statement Saturday night. “What grew out of the terrible tragedy of the loss of 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 honored that you entrust me with the honor of your vote and the privilege of serving you in Congress. A simple thank you does not fully sum up the depth of my gratitude. “
Letlow has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, as well as Minority House Leader Kevin McCarthy and Whip Steve Scalise. Potential Republican 2024 candidate and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley also backed her.
Her husband was on track to succeed Rep Ralph Abraham for the great headquarters of Northeast Louisiana after winning the GOP second round 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 her campaign announcement, Letlow said she was “running to continue the mission Luke began – standing up for our Christian values, fighting for our rural farming communities and delivering real results to move our state forward.”
She had made it known that she would run to keep the seat in 2022.
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