'Incredible Moment:' Wife of Deceased Congressman-Elect Wins Special Election to Take His Seat

Amid broad support that included endorsements from former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, Republican  Julia Letlow on Saturday won a special election to fill the House seat her late husband, Luke Letlow, would have assumed.

Luke Letlow won a runoff election in the Pelican State’s 5th Congressional District race in December, but died later that month after having been diagnosed with COVID-19. He was 41.

Julia Letlow, 40, defeated 11 other candidates, according to Fox News. She polled 65 percent of the vote. The second-place candidate received 27 percent of the vote.

“This is an incredible moment, and it is truly hard to put into words,” Letlow said in a statement after her victory was announced.

“What was born out of the terrible tragedy of losing my husband, Luke, has become my mission in his honor to carry the torch and serve the good people of Louisiana’s 5th District,” she said.

Letlow will be Louisiana’s first GOP congresswoman.

Trump issued an endorsement for Letlow on March 10.

“Julia Letlow, a wonderful and talented person who is the widow of U.S. Representative-elect Luke Letlow, is running for Congress in Louisiana-5 at the urging of so many people who know her so very well. She is Pro-Life and strong on Crime, the Border, loves our Military, our Vets, and will always protect our cherished Second Amendment. Julia, who is so outstanding, has my Complete and Total Endorsement. The Great State of Louisiana will be thrilled!” Trump said in the