Minnesota pol Relph dies from COVID-19
Wernick is director of City University of New York’s Citizenship Now! project. Send questions and comments to questions@ allanwernick.com. Follow him on Twitter @awernick.
A Minnesota state lawmaker and Marine Corp veteran who served in Vietnam has died from COVID-19, his family announced.
State Sen. Jerry Relph, 76 (photo), was finishing his first term in the Legislature after being elected in 2016. He was one of several politicians who tested positive for the virus after attending a Republican caucus meeting last month, according to local news reports.
Relph, who had lost his reelection bid on Nov. 3, was “a dedicated public servant” who also ran a small business, worked as a lawyer and served in the Vietnam War, his wife said in a statement Friday night.
“I’m heartbroken to share that my husband, Jerry Relph, has passed away and entered his heavenly home,” Pegi Broker-Relph said.
“Jerry dedicated his life to service, and representing Senate District 14 was one of the highest honors he had,” she added. “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.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined Broker-Relph and several politicians in praising the late senator.
“Terrible news,” Walz tweeted. “Jerry lived his entire life in service to his community. Gwen and I are keeping his family in our prayers.”
“Senator Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many,” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka wrote on Twitter. “For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state.”
Gazelka said Relph was “already thinking” of other ways to help the community after losing his reelection last month. “We are deeply saddened by his passing and offer our prayers and support to the Relph family,” he said.