US candidate died of COVID-19 wins spot on legislature

WASHINGTON: A Republican businessman and candidate for North Dakota's state legislature appears to have won office after succumbing to COVID-19 last month, according to multiple reports published Wednesday.

According to report by Anadolu Agency (AA), David Andahl, 55, died Oct 5 after contracting the novel coronavirus.

Yet he remained on the ballot and won one of two available seats in a four-person race with 35.53 per cent of the vote.

Fellow Republican Dave Nehring also won, securing 40.72% of the unofficial tally.

Andahl's family announced his death in a Facebook post, which said he "passed away yesterday after a short battle with COVID-19."

"We are heartbroken, and we ask that he be remembered not by how he died, but by how he lived. David was a kind, caring man whose greatest joy was helping others," according to the Oct 6 post.

"He has been a public servant for many years and was looking forward to the opportunity to serve in the state legislature. We are sad that his wish will not come to pass."

-- BERNAMA