Minnesota Republicans Who Spent Time With Trump Are Quarantining After Campaign Rally, Fundraiser

From the Minnesota Reformer:

By Ricardo Lopez

October 2, 2020

Minnesota Republicans who hosted President Donald Trump this week are quarantining and scrambling to contain the fallout after the president disclosed on Thursday he contracted COVID-19.

Three GOP congressmen — U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Jim Hagedorn and Pete Stauber — traveled with Trump on Air Force One on Wednesday when the president held a campaign rally in Duluth.

Emmer, in a statement, said he is not currently experiencing symptoms and has been tested, with results expected within 24 hours. “Jacquie and I are praying for the health and well-being of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump,” he said.

Requests for comment from Stauber and Hagedorn’s offices were not immediately returned Friday.

Trump’s visit to Minnesota brought him into close proximity to donors who attended a Shorewood fundraiser at the home of Marty Davis, a Republican donor and CEO and president of Cambria USA, a quartz countertops maker.

Some people are at higher risk for developing a serious case of COVID-19, including people who are older, have compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.

Hagedorn has been battling cancer, and was seen at the Duluth rally not wearing a mask, along with Emmer. Stauber was wearing a facial covering.

The Minnesota Republican Party called a media briefing on Friday morning that was abruptly cancelled because Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan did not join the call.

“Due to a busy campaign schedule that took me to other parts of the state, I was not at any events involving the President in Minnesota on Wednesday,” Carnahan said in a statement Friday.

Minnesota Republicans have come under criticism by their DFL counterparts for holding large campaign events, saying the events have put attendees at risk for contracting the virus.

Other Minnesota leaders who were in close quarters with Trump are also quarantining.

Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake said on WCCO radio Friday morning he will be getting tested and would self isolate. “I fully believe we will be fine,” he said.

“I am not currently experiencing any symptoms, but out of an abundance of caution I am being tested again on Friday for COVID-19 after testing negative on Tuesday ahead of the President’s visit,” House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said in a statement.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..