Biography

Julia Letlow, born on March 16, 1981, in Monroe, Louisiana, is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. She made history as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Louisiana. Letlow assumed office in April 2021 after winning a special election to fill the seat previously won by her late husband, Luke Letlow, who passed away from COVID-19 complications before taking office.

Prior to her political career, Letlow was an accomplished educator and administrator. She served as the executive director of external affairs and strategic communications at the University of Louisiana Monroe from 2018 to 2019. Earlier, she held positions at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, including director of education, director of resident patient safety and quality improvement, and clinical instructor of anesthesiology. Letlow has also been an instructor and teaching associate at ULM, Tulane University, and the University of South Florida.

She is the mother of two children, Jacqueline and Jeremiah, and resides in Start, Louisiana. The family worships at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University of Louisiana Monroe, 2002
  • Master of Arts in Speech Communication, University of Louisiana Monroe, 2005
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Communication, University of South Florida, 2011

• Political Experience:

  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District in a special election, April 2021
  • Re-elected in 2022
  • Serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, with subcommittee assignments including:
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration
  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
  • Serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Letlow has been actively involved in initiatives to improve rural broadband access, enhance educational opportunities, and support agricultural development in her district.