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Top Democrat In Tennessee House Was Sick With COVID-19 At Start Of Special Session

House Democratic Leader Karen Camper briefly attended the special session before getting sick with COVID-19, though her first test was negative.
Maskupmemphis.org via Twitter
House Democratic Leader Karen Camper briefly attended the special session before getting sick with COVID-19, though her first test was negative.

 

House Democratic Leader Karen Camper briefly attended the special session before getting sick with COVID-19, though her first test was negative.
Credit Maskupmemphis.org via Twitter
House Democratic Leader Karen Camper briefly attended the special session before getting sick with COVID-19, though her first test was negative.

The House Minority Leader in the Tennessee General Assembly was feeling ill at the start of last week’s special session. Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis, attended a few socially-distanced meetings and was on the floor of the state House Monday night, according to a spokesperson.

That night, she got tested for COVID-19 and headed home to Memphis where she isolated as a precaution. The test was negative, but she did not return.

“It was subsequently determined that she had contracted the virus,” Democratic spokesperson Ken Jobe says.

Camper has contacted the director of legislative administration to share the results.

Several other lawmakers have either tested positive or isolated because of contact. Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, is still hospitalized in Chattanooga with COVID-19, though he did not attend the special session. And former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, was excused from the special session because of quarantining, though he wouldn’t say if he tested positive.

This story was reported by WPLN

Copyright 2020 WKNO

Blake Farmer
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