Orlando Rep. Smith tests positive for COVID-19

Committee meeting canceled after several senators absent

TALLAHASSEE — An Orlando state legislator has COVID-19, and the absence of several state senators, including one from Central Florida, prompted a legislative committee to cancel a meeting Tuesday.

State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, announced he tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday morning after experiencing moderate symptoms over the weekend.

“I’m fully vaxxed, boosted, and now as a result — nearly 100% better!” he wrote in a tweet.

Smith wrote he is in isolation away from the Capitol but will continue to work remotely.

The Florida Capitol has no COVID-19 protocols in place. Smith has been wearing a mask, but most lawmakers haven’t.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made his resistance to COVID19 restrictions the centerpiece of his State of the State address that kicked off the 60-day legislative session on Jan. 11.

Four state senators, including Central Florida state Sen. Jason Brodeur, requested excused absences for Tuesday, Katie Betta, a spokesperson for Senate President Wilton Simpson, said in an email.

One of those absences was not related to COVID19, while the other senators did not provide a reason in letters they submitted, Betta said.

Brodeur, R-Sanford, and state Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. State Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, told Florida Politics he tested positive for COVID19 Friday after having coldlike symptoms, despite being fully vaccinated, boosted and wearing a mask.

State Sen. George Gainer’s absence was not related to COVID, Betta said. The Florida Senate has 40 members.

Besides Smith, eight other members of the 120-member Florida House received excused absences Tuesday, spokesperson Jenna Sarkissian said. It’s unclear whether those absences were COVID-related.

The absentee list included Central Florida state Reps. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona; Scott Plankon, R-Longwood; and Keith Truenow, R-Tavares.

Of the 40 Democratic House members, Smith was the only member known to be sick with COVID-19 Tuesday morning, Democratic Leader Evan Jenne said.

Jenne, D-Dania Beach, said he’s disappointed with how the pandemic has been handled in the Capitol.

“It’s been pretty much a free-for-all here,” he said. “The guard is completely let down.”