‘She Is Experiencing Mild Symptoms': Congresswoman Val Demings Tests Positive For COVID

Florida Phoenix

July 18, 2022

With COVID-19 cases rising across the nation and in Florida, U.S. Rep. Val Demings on Monday revealed that she tested positive for COVID, according to her Twitter post and a campaign spokesman.

Demings, a Florida Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat, had spoken Saturday night at the Florida Democratic Party’s Leadership Blue Gala, according to a press release from the Florida Democratic Party.

Based on dozens of the Democratic Party’s photos at the event, conferees for the most part did not wear masks.

“I’ve tested positive for COVID and am currently isolating with mild symptoms,” Demings said Monday via Twitter. “Thank you for the many well-wishes and stay safe.”

Devon Cruz, press secretary for Demings, told the Florida Phoenix in an email Monday that she got tested after someone from her team tested positive for COVID.

“Rep. Demings tested Sunday due to notification from official side staff who had tested positive for COVID,” Cruz said in an email.

“The campaign will continue to make proper notifications and is working to ensure safe campaign events. She is experiencing mild symptoms, and as of now is isolating and scheduled events have moved to be virtual.”

In Florida, new COVID cases have been on the rise as the BA.5 omicron variant spreads throughout the country. “Data suggest that BA.4 and BA.5 spread more easily than previous Omicron lineages. They’ve been on the rise for weeks, and BA.5 has become the predominant lineage in the United States,” according to recent CDC information.

Demings is likely to face incumbent U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in the November election, as both candidates are bringing in cash for their respective political campaigns. Rubio is a Republican and former Florida House Speaker seeking his third term in the Senate.

Rubio has been receiving endorsements from several sheriff’s and some police groups, but Demings, former Orlando police chief, has outraised him in campaign fundraising from Jan. 2021 to June 30, according to the latest data from the Federal Election Commission.

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