Kelly Ernby, Orange County, California Deputy DA, Dies Abruptly After Falling Ill With COVID at Age 46

A deputy district attorney and emerging Republican political star in California’s Orange County has died suddenly after telling friends she contracted COVID-19.

Kelly Ernby, an expected candidate for Congress in 2022, is just 46 years old. Follow LA time, she fell ill shortly after speaking out against vaccine regulations at a rally organized by Turning Point USA on December 4.

“Nothing is more important than our freedom right now,” she was quoted as telling the crowd during a rally at Irvine City Hall.

It was not immediately clear where or how she contracted the virus. Her death sparked a wave of tributes from colleagues, who praised her for her passion and experience.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer dedicated a long Twitter thread for Ernby on Monday, calling her “an extremely vibrant and passionate attorney who cares deeply about the work we do as prosecutors — and deeply about the community in which all We are all fighting to protect it.”

Spitzer wrote: “It was an absolute privilege to fight alongside Kelly. “Her passion and brilliance will forever be overlooked.”

“My heart is broken and I am in tears. I have lost a dear friend to Covid complications. I love you @KellyErnby ! You are nothing but an inspiration to many of us here in Orange County,” said Ben Chapman, Greater Costa Mesa Republican Party chairman, Written on Twitter, along with a photo of him and Ernby.

Orange County Republicans, for whom Ernby served as precinct executive chairman, said the news of her death caused “great sadness.”

The group only noted that Ernby died unexpectedly after a “short illness”, saying “we have hope in this tragedy because we know she had a deep faith.”

The daughter of two Navy veterans, Ernby has nearly two decades of legal experience and is running for state Congress in 2020, with her campaign focused on border security and conservative values ​​in California”, among others.

“Kelly and I spent a lot of time together during the 2020 election campaign. She is one of the few people in politics who has always been real, genuine, caring, and passionate,” said Brian. Burley, a Republican running for Congress last cycle, tweeted about her political talent.

Although she has publicly expressed opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine regulations, it remains unclear whether she herself has been immunized against the virus.