The dean of Bexar County’s delegation in the Texas House is among state legislators who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during a quorum-breaking trip to Washington, D.C., meant to block passage of a GOP-led bill to tighten voting restrictions in Texas.
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) announced Sunday that he had tested positive for the virus, despite being fully vaccinated and receiving negative tests Friday and Saturday. Fischer said his symptoms are “extremely mild” and he plans to stay in isolation until he tests negative for the virus.
“Just as these new variants sweeping the country are more aggressive than ever, the wave of anti-voter legislation in this country is worse than we’ve seen in generations,” Fischer said in a press release. “That’s why I will continue the fight for voting rights with every single fiber of my being.”
Fischer is among the 56 Texas House members and nine senators who left the state last week as Republicans worked to pass voting rights changes that would create more restrictions for mail-in ballots, set standard hours for early voting and eliminate 24-hour voting, block counties from setting up drive-thru polling sites in tents, and give poll watchers more leeway at election sites, among other changes.
On Saturday, Fischer and six other House members appeared via videoconference at a rally at Friendship Baptist Church. Fischer stood next to state Rep. Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio). Both were wearing masks.
Four other Texas House members have received positive coronavirus tests over the weekend, including state Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin), the only other member as of Sunday evening to announce positive test results. House Democratic Caucus officials have said they aren’t releasing the legislators’ names out of concern for their privacy.
