WILMINGTON — Michael Lee, who represents New Hanover County in the N.C. Senate, told WWAY on Friday that he had been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Lee, a Wilmington lawyer who was recently re-elected to the seat he lost in 2018, told the TV station that late Wednesday he had a headache and cough. Results Thursday from a rapid test confirmed he was infected with coronavirus.
The report said the senator is quarantined away from his family and working on legislative business, including meeting remotely with colleagues an staff.
“While I realize I am only a few days into the virus, I am doing relatively well,” Lee told WWAY. “As for where I may have contracted the virus, I really do not know. I do not know of anyone I have come in contact with in the last week that has been diagnosed with the virus.”
Lee, a Republican, was appointed in August 2014 to fill the Senate seat held by Thom Goolsby, who resigned before his term expired. Former Wilmington mayor Harper Peterson defeated Lee by a razor-thin margin in 2018, with the GenX contamination in the area’s water supply a major issue in the race. Lee ran again in 2020 and beat Peterson in another close race.
The N.C. General Assembly began its every-two-years long session Jan. 13 and both houses reconvene Monday afternoon.
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