The news of President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis is expected to roil the presidential race with Election Day just a month away. In Georgia, absentee ballots are already sitting on some kitchen counters and in-person early voting is set to start in a little more than a week.
The president’s positive test result comes days after he and Democratic challenger Joe Biden shared the debate stage Tuesday evening. The two men did not shake hands and stayed on opposite sides of the stage, which was in a large atrium on Case Western Reserve University’s campus.
“Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family,” Biden tweeted Friday morning. Later in the day during a campaign stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the former Vice-President again offered their best wishes that the President and First Lady will make a quick and full recovery. “This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically. We have to do our part to be responsible,” he said.
Georgia leaders, too, weighed in on the news.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the First Family, and all suffering with Coronavirus,” tweeted Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a key Biden supporter and someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in July. “A COVID-19 diagnosis is unsettling, and even more so when a loved one also tests positive. Derek and I wish the First Family a speedy recovery,” she said.
From Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican: “Just as we have prayed for all those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including many friends and neighbors, we pray today for President Trump and the First Lady. May they have a swift and speedy recovery.”
Here’s a look at other initial reactions from Georgia officials to the news:
Georgia is praying for @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS . Get well soon! #gapol https://t.co/nTrE5PaKe5
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) October 2, 2020
Remember: China gave this virus to our President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @FLOTUS.
WE MUST HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) October 2, 2020
Bonnie & I wish President Trump and the First Lady a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with them as they fight this virus. https://t.co/vHR6fhPN2R
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) October 2, 2020
I’m praying for a swift recovery, @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS! https://t.co/fCDN0uLmQ7
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) October 2, 2020
Georgia Recorder reporter Jill Nolin and States Newsroom Washington Bureau Chief Jane Norman and reporter Laura Olson contributed to this report. This article has been updated with additional information.
