US: Republican lawmaker, Ron Wright dies from Coronavirus

Republican Rep. Ron Wright of Texas has died at the age of 67, weeks after contracting COVID-19.

The lawmaker took office in 2019 and announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on January 21. Wright who is the first sitting member of Congress to die from the virus, had undergone treatment for lung cancer after it was diagnosed in 2018.

Wright’s office said;

“As friends, family, and many of his constituents will know, Ron maintained his quick wit and optimism until the very end.

“Despite years of painful, sometimes debilitating treatment for cancer, Ron never lacked the desire to get up and go to work, to motivate those around him, or to offer fatherly advice.”

While Wright is the first sitting member of Congress to die after contracting Coronavirus, Luke Letlow, a Louisiana Republican elected to the House in November, died a month later from COVID-19 complications before he took office.

At least 71 representatives and senators have been diagnosed with COVID-19 according to GovTrack. More than 27 million people nationwide have contracted the disease, and it has killed more than 463,000 Americans.

To date, three other lawmakers from Texas have tested positive for Coronavirus and they are Reps. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands; Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler; and Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth. All three of those Texans recovered after reporting mild symptoms.

Texas will eventually hold a special election to choose Wright’s successor in Texas’ 6th District, which sits in Tarrant County outside of Dallas.