A Minnesota state senator died from complications related to COVID-19 and is believed to be the first lawmaker in the state to succumb to the effects of the illness.
Jerry Relph, a Republican senator from St. Cloud, died on Friday, his wife, Pegi Broker-Relph, said in a Friday night statement. Relph had been ill for weeks after contracting the coronavirus.
“Jerry dedicated his life to service, and representing Senate District 14 was one of the highest honors he had,” his wife said. “I can’t count the number of times he would come home at night and tell me about helping solve a constituent’s problem, or a story he heard from someone in a parade or at a public event, or even just someone he met during a ‘day on the hill’ event.”
“He loved serving the people of St. Cloud in the Senate, and he cherished every minute of it,” she added.
The 76-year-old lawmaker had just finished serving out his first term and lost his reelection bid this year by a wire-thin 315 votes that prompted a partial recount, according to MPR News. He was a Vietnam War veteran and attorney.
Relph reportedly went to the emergency room twice and was one of several GOP senators who contracted the virus following a post-election party at a restaurant. Despite the revelation of the two emergency room visits, little was known about his condition leading up to his death as his family had requested privacy.
“Sen. Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many. For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state. Sen. Relph will always be remembered as a dedicated public servant,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, a Republican who also tested positive for COVID-19 after the November gathering.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis said in a Facebook post that Relph was “a true friend, dedicated public servant and incredible human being.”
Minnesota was hit particularly hard by the pandemic in November and early December, where new cases hit record levels. Nearly 392,000 Minnesotans have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 4,700 people have died since the pandemic first began.
