News
Texas GOP Congressman Becomes First to Die After Contracting COVID-19

U.S. Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX), first elected to Congress in 2018, has died after contracting COVID-19, The Dallas Morning News reports. He was 67, and had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019.
Rep. Wright is the first sitting U.S. Congressman to die after after contracting the coronavirus.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram reports on his passing:
Fox has learned that that Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX) has died.
Wright tested positive for coronavirus several weeks ago.
Wright had also battled lung cancer last fall. Wright was 67 years old. Wright succeeded fmr GOP TX Rep Joe Barton in 2019 after Barton retired.— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 8, 2021
Wright announced his diagnosis January 21.
This morning, I learned that I have tested positive for COVID-19.
I am experiencing minor symptoms, but overall, I feel okay and will continue working for the people of #TX6 from home this week.
My full statement: https://t.co/8JWwfNi0iz
— Ron Wright (@RepRonWright) January 21, 2021
Wake Up To Politics’ Gabe Fleisher:
Per @govtrack, 71 members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outset of the pandemic. Wright is the first of them to die from the virus. https://t.co/JU10XufeEg
— Gabe Fleisher (@WakeUp2Politics) February 8, 2021
This article has been updated pending cause of death.
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