Congressman Rick Larsen tests positive for COVID-19

EVERETT — U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Recently re-elected to an 11th term, Larsen made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday.

“Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus,” the Everett Democrat wrote. “I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I am prepared to vote by proxy in the coming days if the House schedules votes.”

Early on in the pandemic, the House approved proxy voting and remote hearings.

Larsen joins a long list of lawmakers who since March have either tested positive or were believed to have been infected by the virus. National Public Radio reports about 50 members of Congress have had the illness, while others have quarantined because of potential exposure.

Joe Tutino, a spokesperson in Larsen’s office, said it is not clear how the congressman was exposed.

“We don’t know and we don’t want to speculate,” he said. “He has been following all of the safety protocols.”

Larsen, who grew up in Arlington, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000. He represents Washington’s 2nd District, which includes about 760,000 people. The district takes in Everett and other cities along I-5 from Mountlake Terrace to Bellingham, as well as all of Island and San Juan counties.

Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I am prepared to vote by proxy in the coming days if the House schedules votes.

— Rep. Rick Larsen (@RepRickLarsen) December 23, 2020

Larsen’s COVID announcement wasn’t his only Twitter comment Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote that Democrats were willing to meet President Trump’s call for $2,000 federal stimulus checks, Larsen wrote: “Let’s do this!”

Larsen received 63% of the vote in the November general election to defeat Republican challenger Timothy Hazelo.