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Widow of Republican representative-elect who died of COVID-19 announces run to fill seat

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MONROE, La. –  The widow of a Republican representative-elect who died of COVID-19 announced on Thursday she will run to fill his seat.

Julia Letlow said she will run to represent Lousiana’s fifth district, a month after her husband Rep.-elect Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 before being sworn in, Axios reports.

“My motivation is the passion Luke and I both shared: to better this region that we called home and to leave it a better place for our children and future generations,” Letlow said in her statement.

The congressional seat became initially available to replace Rep. Ralph Abraham, whom the Rep.-elect worked for as his chief of staff.

The 41-year-old won the seat after a Dec. 5 run-off and tested positive for the coronavirus less than two weeks later.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has called for a special election on March 20 to fill the seat.

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