Day 19: The Death of Congressman Ron Wright

U.S. Representative Ron Wright died Sunday. He is the first — and only — sitting Congressman to do so after contracting Covid-19. He was 67.

Born and reared in Texas, Wright (R-TX) was first elected to serve on the Arlington City Council in 2000. He won his seat on the Hill in 2018 and sat on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Education and Labor, as well as as a member of the Freedom Caucus.

Wright had a public battle with lung cancer and had been admitted to the hospital two weeks before with a Covid diagnosis.

“As friends, family, and many of his constituents will know, Ron maintained his quick wit and optimism until the very end,” a statement from his office read. “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.”

Several world leaders have contracted the virus, including former president Trump. More than two million have died from Covid-related deaths to date. The United States has recorded the most — 463k.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R-LA) died in December from Covid. He was 41.