He is the first sitting member of Congress to die from the virus.
Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, who had received cancer treatment for years, died Sunday after being hospitalized with COVID-19. He was 67. “His wife Susan was by his side and he is now in the presence of their Lord and Savior,” a statement from his office said. “Over the past few years, Congressman Wright had kept a rigorous work schedule on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and at home in Texas’ Congressional District 6 while being treated for cancer. For the previous two weeks, Ron and Susan had been admitted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas after contracting COVID-19.” Wright had announced Jan.21 that he tested positive for the coronavirus “after coming in contact with an individual with the virus last week.” He is the first sitting member of Congress to die after battling COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. “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,” his office said. The House held a moment of silence to remember Wright on Monday after convening for a brief pro forma session. Wright was reelected to a second term in November. His death will create the fifth special House election of the year so far; campaigning is already underway for three seats vacated or soon to be vacated by Democrats who are joining the Biden administration, and in the 5th District of Louisiana, where Republican Luke Letlow died before taking office.
