First COVID-19 Death In Congress: Texas Republican Ron Wright Dead At 67

Rep. Ron Wright, a Republican from Texas, died Sunday of COVID-19 complications. He was 67.

Wright had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was hospitalized in Dallas after testing positive for COVID in January.

Wright became the first sitting member of Congress to succumb to the virus. His office confirmed his death Monday, saying that he and his wife had been in the hospital for two weeks before he passed away.

His final vote was against impeaching Donald Trump for his role in the Capitol riots.

“As friends, family and many of his constituents will know, Ron maintained his quick wit and optimism until the very end,” Wright’s office told CNBC. “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.”

Control of his seat, Texas’ sixth district, will be decided by special election. While Wright is the first sitting congressman to die of COVID-19, Louisiana Rep.-elect Luke Letlow succumbed to the disease in December before taking office. Both officials’ seats are unoccupied, giving Democrats an 11-seat majority in the chamber.

"Ron Wright was a fighter who passionately served his constituents, Texas, and America," House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said.

Majority leader Nancy Pelosi also released a statement of condolences to Wright’s family.

"As we grieve Congressman Wright's passing, members of Congress are united in sorrow and pray for the families and loved ones of the over 460,000 Americans who have been killed by the vicious coronavirus," the statement read. "Each death is a tragedy that breaks our hearts and demands strong, urgent action."

Wright’s official Twitter account had sent out messages against COVID-19 closures as little as two days before his death.