Elected Ron Wright, R-Texas Rep. Participates in a welcome meeting for new members at the Capitol Visitor Center on November 15, 2018.
Tom Williams | CQ Appeal, Inc. | Getty Images
Texas Republican MP Ron Wright died weeks after contracting Covid-19, his office said Monday. He was 67 years old.
Wright, who took office in 2019, died on Sunday. He had undergone treatment for lung cancer after it was diagnosed in 2018.
He and his wife Susan were hospitalized in Dallas for two weeks before the Congressman died fighting the disease. The congressman, whose Arlington district was a part, announced that he tested positive for Covid-19 on Jan. 21.
“As friends, family and many of his constituents will know, Ron kept his quick wit and optimism to the end,” said Wright’s office. “Despite years of painful, sometimes debilitating cancer treatment, Ron never lacked the desire to get up and go to work, motivate those around him, or give fatherly advice.”
Wright is the first seated member of Congress to die after contracting Covid. Luke Letlow, a Louisiana Republican who was elected to the House of Representatives in November, died of complications from Covid-19 a month later before taking office.
According to GovTrack, at least 71 officials and senators have been diagnosed with Covid. Nationwide, more than 27 million people have contracted the disease and killed more than 463,000 Americans.
Texas will eventually hold a special election to elect Wright’s successor in the Texas 6th Ward, which is in Tarrant County outside of Dallas.
Wright’s death means Democrats now have an 11-seat advantage in the house. There are four vacancies in the 435-person home, including Letlow’s 5th Ward in Louisiana.
Wright’s final vote was against the charges against former President Donald Trump for provoking the January 6 uprising in the U.S. Capitol, the House employee said. He also voted to object to the election count in Pennsylvania and Arizona last month.
