Julia Letlow is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Louisiana's 5th congressional district. Born on March 16, 1981, in Monroe, Louisiana, Letlow completed her primary education at Ouachita Christian High School before pursuing higher education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Arts in 2005. She later earned a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in 2011. Throughout her career in academia, Letlow has held various positions, including special projects coordinator and ombudsperson at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and director of education and patient safety at Tulane University.
Letlow entered Congress after winning a special election on March 20, 2021, to fill the vacancy left by her late husband, Luke Letlow. Since taking office, she has been reelected to two additional terms, reflecting a steady base of support in her home district.
As a member of the Republican Party, Letlow serves on multiple committees, notably the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Her legislative focus includes issues relevant to her constituents, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, and community development.
Letlow has sponsored and co-sponsored a number of significant bills, reflecting her commitment to education, agriculture, and economic development. Noteworthy among these is the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025, known as HB1011, aimed at streamlining financial assistance for agricultural producers in emergencies, particularly following wildfires and other disasters. This legislation seeks to expedite financial aid by allowing upfront payments, thereby supporting farmers in recovering from natural calamities.
In addition to agriculture, Letlow has been involved in education reform, co-sponsoring the Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025, which aims to expand educational options for families through tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. This bill, known as HB833, addresses disparities in access to quality education, aligning with Letlow's advocacy for school choice.
Moreover, her work on the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act, HB442, aims to improve the federal crop insurance program by ensuring regular reviews of quality loss adjustment procedures, which may enhance support for farmers facing adverse conditions.
Letlow's sponsorship of these bills indicates her conservative approach towards education and agriculture, advocating for private sector involvement and reduced governmental oversight. She emphasizes parental choice in education and supports initiatives that aim to bolster the agricultural economy, reflecting broader Republican principles of limited government intervention and individual empowerment.
In her personal life, Letlow is a mother and has expressed a commitment to her community, drawing on her experiences as both an educator and an advocate for families. She is actively engaged in initiatives that support local education systems and agricultural communities, aiming to strengthen the livelihoods of her constituents. Her life story and political journey resonate deeply with her constituency, embodying the spirit of resilience through personal and professional challenges.
As she continues to serve in Congress, Letlow remains focused on her goals of enhancing education, supporting farmers, and fostering economic resilience in Louisiana, reflecting the values and needs of her district.