AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.

A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612803694450.png" alt="Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

First member of Congress dies after battle with COVID-19