Val Demings announces she has Covid after attending Dem's Tampa conference

TAMPA, Fla. — Rep. Val Demings announced on Monday that she tested positive for Covid-19 after attending the Florida Democratic Party’s Leadership Blue convention in downtown Tampa over the weekend.

Demings (D-Fla.), who is currently self-isolating with mild symptoms, had a hoarse voice after delivering a speech on Saturday night. Her husband, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, told POLITICO at the conference that her voice was rough due to speaking at multiple events. It’s unclear where or how she caught Covid-19.

Demings, who is challenging Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for Senate, has been on the campaign trail throughout the summer.

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

The three-day Democratic convention in Tampa brought together dozens of Democrats, including Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. None of the other keynote speakers from the event have said publicly if they’ve tested positive.

Demings, who was on President Joe Biden’s short-list for vice presidential candidates, gained notoriety after she served as an impeachment manager during former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment proceeding.