Candidate who died of coronavirus last month wins election

A Republican in North Dakota has won a seat in the state legislature, despite dying of complications from coronavirus in October.

David Andahl, who died at the age of 55 on October 5, was elected to represent the eighth district in the state’s House of Representatives.

Mr Andahl took nearly 36 per cent of the vote while another candidate who he teamed up with, Dave Nehring, also won the two-seat area.

Mr Andahl’s mother said her son was sick for about four days before he passed away in hospital despite being “very careful” during the pandemic.

"So many things he was very passionate about, and was hoping that he could get into the Legislature and be of some help. He was looking forward to it. He was looking forward to being part of that,” Pat Andahl told the Bismarck Tribune after her son’s death.

Mr Andahl’s family wrote on Facebook they were “heartbroken” by his death.

“He was very cautious especially because he did have a few health challenges, but he was unable to fend off this disease,” they wrote.

“We are heartbroken, and we ask that he be remembered not by how he died, but by how he lived."

They said they were devastated that Mr Andahl would not be able to see out his wish to serve in the state legislature.

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