Skip to main content
Tags: luke letlow | julie letlow
CORRESPONDENT

Widow of Late Rep-Elect Letlow Likely To Seek His Seat

luke letlow stands behind podium
Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in a December runoff, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, of complications from COVID-19. (Melinda Deslatte/AP Photo)

John Gizzi By Monday, 11 January 2021 06:21 AM EST Current | Bio | Archive

With roughly two weeks to go before filing for the March primary to fill the seat of the late Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th District, signs are growing strong that his widow Julie Letlow will make the race.

“All indications are that Julie will run and be an almost certain victor,” a Pelican State Republican who knows the Shreveport-based district well told Newsmax.

The same source admitted “I’m a little concerned about her running with two very young children but in lieu of the circumstances, perhaps this is one such occasion where it makes more sense.”

He meant that the outpouring of sympathy for the Letlow family would almost surely clear the field and guarantee her election in an historically Republican district. 

Soon after winning the seat last year of his old boss Republican Rep. Ralph Abraham, Luke Letlow contracted COVID-19.  On Dec. 29, four days before he was to be sworn into office, Letlow died of complications from the virus at age 41.

Julie Barnhill Letlow, also 41, is considered a strong conservative in the mold of her late husband. A Ph.D, she served as executive assistant to the president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and was herself a finalist for the university presidency.

Writing of his wife on Facebook, Letlow said “Anyone who truly knows my wife knows that her determination is a force to be reckoned with, her vision is inspiring, and her passion is contagious.”

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

John-Gizzi
With roughly two weeks to go before filing for the March primary to fill the seat of the late Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow in Louisiana's 5th District, signs are growing strong that his widow Julie Letlow will make the race...
luke letlow, julie letlow
265
2021-21-11
Monday, 11 January 2021 06:21 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved