By Karen Cross, NRL Political Director
In a special election held Saturday, voters in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District chose pro-life Republican Julia Letlow to replace her husband, Luke Letlow, who passed away in December shortly before taking office. In a twelve-way race, she carried 62% of the vote.
“What was born out of the terrible tragedy of losing my husband, Luke, has become my mission in his honor,” Mrs. Letlow said in a statement.
Congresswoman-elect Letlow was endorsed by National Right to Life and joins an historic freshman class, which now includes 20 new pro-life women.
During the campaign, Letlow tweeted, “It’s an honor to be the only candidate endorsed by @nrlc (National Right to Life). I’ve always been pro-life, and it was through the transforming experience of having my first child that I knew I needed to do more and wanted to speak out for those who have no voice.”
She becomes the first Republican woman ever elected to Congress from Louisiana. There are now 31 Republican women in Congress.
Currently in the U.S. House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her pro-abortion majority are advancing dangerous proposals that would force taxpayers to fund abortions and trample on rights of conscience. This includes eliminating the life-saving Hyde Amendment, which for decades has prevented streams of government money from funding abortions. Letlow’s victory means Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District will have a pro-life fighter to stand up against Pelosi’s pro-abortion agenda.
Prior to the election, National Right to Life President Carol Tobias said, “Julia Letlow will work to see that all innocent human life is protected, and she is committed to strengthening a culture of life throughout the nation and in the U.S. House. We look forward to working with Julia Letlow to protect the most vulnerable members of the human family.”
Once Letlow is sworn in next month, the composition of the U.S. House will be 212 Republicans and 220 Democrats with three vacancies.