CBS News expects Republican Julia Letlow to win the special election to Louisiana’s 5th district and take over the future seat of her late husband, Luke Letlow, who died of COVID-19 complications days before he could be sworn in.
She will be the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress, raising the number of Republican women currently serving in the house to a record 31.
“This is an incredible moment and it’s really hard to put into words,” Letlow said in a statement Saturday night. “What was born 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. Serving in Congress. A simple thank-you does not fully capture the depth of my gratitude. “
Letlow was endorsed by both former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, as well as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Whip Steve Scalise. Potential Republican candidate for 2024 and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley also supported her.
Her husband was on track to succeed Representative Ralph Abraham for the major Northeast Louisiana seat after winning the GOP run-off in early December 2020. He had previously worked as Abraham’s campaign manager and chief of staff. He died on December 29, 2020 at the age of 41.
In her campaign announcement, Letlow said she “fled to continue the mission Luke started – to stand up for our Christian values, to fight for our rural farming communities, and to achieve real results to advance our state.”
She had indicated she would flee to keep the seat in 2022.