NASHVILLE – State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, said Monday he has tested negative for the coronavirus after getting exposed to the infection last week.
“I feel great,” Gardenhire said Monday evening. “This is the fifth time I’ve been exposed and the fifth time I’ve tested negative.”
The senator, who’s in a hotly contested race with Democrat Glenn Scruggs in Tuesday’s general election, said he went to Clinico Medicos early Monday morning and the results were back later in the day.
“They do it right quick,” Gardenhire said of the clinic. “As soon as they get two or three they run them right over to Baylor School and get them processed.”
Last Thursday, Gardenhire announced on his Facebook page that he had to miss a campaign fundraiser with Republican Gov. Bill Lee in Bradley County after having been possibly exposed earlier to COVID-19.
“This has to be a FIRST in a political campaign,” Gardenhire wrote. “Had a fundraiser all planned up in Bradley County today, Governor Lee was the keynote draw, Lt. Governor McNally came to show support, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and a host of Bradley County and Cleveland elected officials were in attendance.”
He said he “watched it on Zoom, thanks to [Sen.] Bo Watson. I’m at home quarantined after possibly being exposed to the COVID Virus Tuesday.”
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.