LaTurner Tests Positive For COVID-19 Amid House Vote On Election

By Sherman Smith, the Kansas Reflector

January 7, 2021

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, the newly elected Republican from Kansas, tested positive for COVID-19 late Wednesday as his House colleagues voted to certify results from the November election.

LaTurner’s office announced the test through his Twitter account. The test was taken as part of Washington, D.C., travel guidelines that requires visitors to be tested. LaTurner was sworn into office Sunday.

His office said the congressman wasn’t experiencing any symptoms.

LaTurner left during the late-night congressional action to affirm Electoral College votes from each state. LaTurner had planned to object to Joe Biden’s presidential victory, joining U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and other Republicans in the Kansas delegation to the House.

Both chambers certified the results by a wide margin, hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol and sent members of Congress into shelter. LaTurner condemned the violence before returning to business.

The Kansas Reflector seeks to increase people's awareness of how decisions made by elected representatives and other public servants affect our day-to-day lives. We hope to empower and inspire greater participation in democracy throughout Kansas.