Rep. Carter hospitalized with COVID-19

State Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) has been hospitalized with COVID-19, according to an email sent to Republican House members by Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison.

“Our friend and colleague Mike Carter is in ICU at Erlanger with Covid,” Faison wrote to colleagues. “He is asking for prayers. Let’s lift him up y’all.”

Lawmakers were in Nashville last week for a special legislative session. Many did not wear masks. Carter did not attend.

Feeling a little better this morning but expect ups and downs during recovery.

Sincere thanks to the wonderful staff here at Erlanger and for all the prayers and well wishes.

— Mike Carter (@RepMikeCarter) August 17, 2020

Former House Speaker Glen Casada (R-Franklin) skipped the special session because he had been exposed to COVID-19, The Tennessean reported. Casada wouldn’t disclose whether he had tested positive, but said he had no symptoms and felt fine.

“I was exposed to covid and did not want to run the risk of exposing anyone else,” he told the paper in a statement Saturday.

Rep. Kent Calfee (R-Kingston) tested positive for COVID-19 following the conclusion of the regular session in June, as did former Republican Rep. Kevin Brooks, the mayor of Cleveland, who was hospitalized with pneumonia on both lungs. Brooks had served as as the minister of the day for the final House floor session in June.