Missouri state Rep. Sara Walsh's husband has died following the couple's diagnosis with the COVID-19 virus.
Sara Walsh posted a message on Twitter this morning, "It saddens my heart to share that this morning my best friend and beloved husband Steve Walsh was welcomed to Heaven's glory into the arms of Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. Arrangements pending. Thank you to everyone who has lifted us up in prayer."
Sara Walsh, a Republican from Ashland serving Missouri's 50th House District, posted Aug. 3 on Twitter asking people to pray for her husband, who she said is "very sick and is in the hospital." On Aug. 14, she tweeted, "My husband is past the virus/quarantine, but still recovering & hospitalized." She also said she had recovered from the virus after recuperating at home.
"Steve Walsh was a true professional, an incredibly kind man of strong faith, and he was our friend," Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe posted on Twitter following today's announcement. "@ClaudiaLKehoe & I extend our heartfelt condolences to @SaraForMissouri. She is hurting. We are hurting. We will miss him greatly, but knowing he is in Heaven provides us comfort."
Sara Walsh is currently running for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler's 4th congressional seat. Her husband, a former reporter for Missourinet radio network, most recently worked for Hartzler.
Hartzler issued a statement praising Steve Walsh for "admirably" serving her office for the past decade in his previous role as press secretary and recently as field representative.
"We loved Steve for his enormous heart, passion for life, and the joy he brought to everyone who was lucky enough to meet him," Hartzler stated. "His love of God and his beautiful wife, Sara, was undeniable."
The couple was not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sara Walsh said previously she did not get the vaccine because it has not been fully approved the the federal Food and Drug Administration and she was concerned about risk factors, according to an earlier KRCG-TV report.
She also said she had friends who had negative reactions to the vaccine and she was not concerned about being vaccinated because she had been healthy since the pandemic began.
Walsh was first elected to the state House in 2017 and serves on the influential House Budget Committee and leads a budget subcommittee.
This article has been updated to add Kehoe's and Hartzler's comments.