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Line 59: − + + + + + + + + − Following Letlow's death, many [[liberal bigotry|bigoted leftists]] stormed social media outlets including [[Twitter]] to mock and falsely blame him for supposedly not taking the coronavirus seriously enough.<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2020/12/30/vox-journalist-mocks-the-death-of-republican-congressmanelect-from-covid19-n2582296 Vox Reporter Backpedals His Mocking of Republican Rep-Elect Death from COVID After Twitter Beatdown]</ref> However, this was despite the fact that he had frequently wore a mask in public and largely took precautions.<ref>https://twitter.com/ErinGaetz/status/1344149863748038656</ref>+ − ==Political positions==+ − According to his website, Letlow described himself as "100% [[pro-life]]," and pledged to defend the [[Second Amendment]] and religious liberties. A supporter of [[U.S. President]] [[Donald J. Trump]], he supported Trump’s construction of more than four hundred miles of wall on the southern border, saying: “Where I come from, I’ve always believed the old saying, 'Good fences make good neighbors,'” borrowing from the [[poet]] [[Robert Frost]]. Letlow has called [[illegal immigration]] a serious threat to national security.<ref>https://lukeletlow.com/</ref><ref>https://lukeletlow.com/issues/</ref> − −
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In the runoff election held on December 5, 2020, Letlow defeated the second-placed primary rival, Lance Harris, 49,182 votes (62 percent) to 30,124 (38 percent. The overall runoff turnout of 79,306 votes was only 25.6 percent of the 309,556, who participated in the November 3 primary held in conjunction with the presidential election. Letlow won every parish in the district except for Rapides, Harris, of which Harris is a native.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3 and December 5, 2020.</ref>
In the runoff election held on December 5, 2020, Letlow defeated the second-placed primary rival, Lance Harris, 49,182 votes (62 percent) to 30,124 (38 percent. The overall runoff turnout of 79,306 votes was only 25.6 percent of the 309,556, who participated in the November 3 primary held in conjunction with the presidential election. Letlow won every parish in the district except for Rapides, Harris, of which Harris is a native.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3 and December 5, 2020.</ref>
Coincidentally, Letlow was elected to Congress the day before his 41st birthday. Less than three weeks after his election, he was hospitalized in Monroe with the coronavirus, a day after being diagnosed with the disease.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2020/12/19/luke-letlow-la-louisiana-congressman-elect-hospitalized-covid-19/3974083001/|title=Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow hospitalized as COVID symptoms persist|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 19, 2020|author=Greg Hilburn|accessdate=December 22, 2020}}</ref> He was later transferred to intensive care, where he received [[remdesivir]] (which has been proven to be useless in combating COVID-19) instead of [[hydroxychloroquine]].<ref>Polus, Sarah (December 23, 2020). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/531511-louisiana-rep-elect-in-intensive-care-after-covid-19-diagnosis Louisiana congressman-elect in intensive care after COVID-19 diagnosis]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 29, 2020.</ref>
==Political positions==
According to his website, Letlow described himself as "100% [[pro-life]]," and pledged to defend the [[Second Amendment]] and religious liberties. A supporter of [[U.S. President]] [[Donald J. Trump]], he supported Trump’s construction of more than four hundred miles of wall on the southern border, saying: “Where I come from, I’ve always believed the old saying, 'Good fences make good neighbors,'” borrowing from the [[poet]] [[Robert Frost]]. Letlow has called [[illegal immigration]] a serious threat to national security.<ref>https://lukeletlow.com/</ref><ref>https://lukeletlow.com/issues/</ref>
==Death as congressman-elect==
Coincidentally, Letlow was elected to Congress the day before his 41st birthday. Less than three weeks after his election, he was hospitalized in Monroe with the coronavirus, a day after being diagnosed with the disease.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2020/12/19/luke-letlow-la-louisiana-congressman-elect-hospitalized-covid-19/3974083001/|title=Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow hospitalized as COVID symptoms persist|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 19, 2020|author=Greg Hilburn|accessdate=December 22, 2020}}</ref> He was later transferred to intensive care in [[Shreveport]], where he received [[remdesivir]] (which has been proven to be useless in combating COVID-19) instead of [[hydroxychloroquine]].<ref>Polus, Sarah (December 23, 2020). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/531511-louisiana-rep-elect-in-intensive-care-after-covid-19-diagnosis Louisiana congressman-elect in intensive care after COVID-19 diagnosis]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 29, 2020.</ref>
Following Letlow's death, many [[liberal bigotry|bigoted leftists]] stormed social media outlets including [[Twitter]] to mock and falsely blame him for supposedly not taking the coronavirus seriously enough.<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2020/12/30/vox-journalist-mocks-the-death-of-republican-congressmanelect-from-covid19-n2582296 Vox Reporter Backpedals His Mocking of Republican Rep-Elect Death from COVID After Twitter Beatdown]</ref> However, Letlow had frequently wore a mask in public and largely took precautions.<ref>https://twitter.com/ErinGaetz/status/1344149863748038656</ref>
Memorial services for Letlow were held on January 2, 2021, at the North Monroe Baptist Church, less than a day before he was to have been sworn into office. His mentor Ralph Abraham, whom Letlow was to have succeeded, said that Letlow had a deep love for his family, state and the 5th Congressional District. "He knew the heart and soul of the (5th Congressional District) and Louisiana. He cared about nothing but others," Abraham said during the service.<ref name=memorial service>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2021/01/02/louisiana-congressman-elect-luke-letlow-remembered-devoted-family-man-coronavirus/4112376001/|title=Congressman-elect Luke Letlow remembered for devotion to family, public|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=January 2, 2021|author=Greg Hilburn|accessdate=January 3, 2021}}</ref>
Mrs. Letlow released this statement on her husband's passing:
Mrs. Letlow released this statement on her husband's passing:
{{quotebox|We are heartbroken to have lost Luke far too early, and with far too much promise, but we are immensely grateful for all that Luke achieved in a life defined by service to others and a steadfast commitment to making a real difference in this world. The incredible outpouring of support from across our community, state, and country is a testament to how many lives Luke impacted through his friendship, leadership and genuine goodness. Luke had a servant's heart, and that was evident in every conversation he had, with people of every walk of life. Our family is so thankful for the outpouring of support we have received, and will work every day to honor his memory and the legacy he leaves behind."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/12/31/luke-letlows-family-talks-louisiana-congressman-elect-covid-death/4101013001/|title=Luke Letlow's family talks about congressman-elect's COVID death: 'We are heartbroken'|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=December 31, 2020|accessdate=January 2, 2021|author=Greg Hilburn}}</ref>}}
{{quotebox|We are heartbroken to have lost Luke far too early, and with far too much promise, but we are immensely grateful for all that Luke achieved in a life defined by service to others and a steadfast commitment to making a real difference in this world. The incredible outpouring of support from across our community, state, and country is a testament to how many lives Luke impacted through his friendship, leadership and genuine goodness. Luke had a servant's heart, and that was evident in every conversation he had, with people of every walk of life. Our family is so thankful for the outpouring of support we have received, and will work every day to honor his memory and the legacy he leaves behind."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/12/31/luke-letlows-family-talks-louisiana-congressman-elect-covid-death/4101013001/|title=Luke Letlow's family talks about congressman-elect's COVID death: 'We are heartbroken'|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=December 31, 2020|accessdate=January 2, 2021|author=Greg Hilburn}}</ref>}}
Letlow's passing will require a [[special election]] on March 20, 2021 to fill the House seat. Candidate qualifying will be from January 20-22.<ref name=memorialservice/>
Letlow's passing will require a [[special election]] on March 20, 2021 to fill the House seat.
==External links==
==External links==