Julia Letlow (LA-5)

Biography

Julia Letlow is a Republican representing Louisiana's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first Republican woman elected to represent Louisiana in Congress, taking office in April 2021 after winning a special election with 65% of the vote following the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, from COVID-19 complications. Born Julia Janelle Barnhill on March 16, 1981, in Monroe, Louisiana, she is a mother of two children, Jacqueline and Jeremiah, and has focused her career on education and advocacy for higher education in the state. She won reelection in 2022 with 67% of the vote. Notable positions include service on the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She addresses poverty in her district through education initiatives, drawing from her background as an educator.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in speech communication from the University of Louisiana at Monroe ; Doctor of Philosophy in communication from the University of South Florida , with a dissertation on grief rituals dedicated to her late brother.
• Professional Experience: Instructor and teaching associate at ULM, Tulane University, and University of South Florida; Director of Education, Resident Patient Safety & Quality Improvement, and Clinical Instructor of Anesthesiology at Tulane University School of Medicine; Director of Marketing and Communications, Ombudsperson, and Special Projects Coordinator at ULM; Executive Director of External Affairs and Strategic Communications at ULM ; Finalist for ULM presidency .
• Political Experience: Elected to U.S. House in special election ; Reelected .