67-year-old Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX) died from COVID-19 on Sunday night, according to Fox News and the Dallas Morning News. He is the first sitting congressman to pass away from the virus.
“Congressman Wright will be remembered as a constitutional conservative. He was a statesman, not an ideologue,” the GOP lawmaker’s office said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News. “Ron and [Wright’s wife Susan] dedicated their lives to fighting for individual freedom, Texas values, and above all, the lives of the unborn. As friends, family, and many of his constituents will know, Ron maintained his quick wit and optimism until the very end.”
Wright, who was also battling lung cancer at the time of his death, is the first member of Congress to succumb to COVID-19 while in office. Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R-LA) died from complications from the virus in December, before he was sworn in.
The Texas Republican announced on January 21 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with someone with the virus during the previous week.
There have been several infections among members of Congress in the past month, some of which came after lawmakers were forced to shelter together during the Capitol siege on January 6. Some Republicans refused to wear masks while they were holed up with their colleagues.
