Timing is everything, and for Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue, the timing is pretty bad. Just as Perdue was hitting the home stretch in his campaign for the Georgia Senate runoff election, which is Tuesday, the senator is now relegated to quarantine.
Perdue’s campaign announced on Thursday that the 71-year-old was recently in close contact with a staffer who tested positive for the coronavirus. The quarantine will throw all Republican campaign plans out the window in the days leading up to the election.
“Both Senator Perdue and his wife tested negative today, but following his doctor’s recommendations and in accordance with CDC guidelines, they will quarantine,” the Perdue campaign said in a statement. “The Senator and his wife have been tested regularly throughout the campaign, and the team will continue to follow CDC guidelines. Further information will be provided when available.”
It’s not clear at this time how long Perdue will need to remain quarantined. The senator is locked in a tight race with Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. Perdue last appeared at a campaign event on Wednesday. The announcement came just 30 minutes before Perdue was scheduled to speak at a campaign event with Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
President Trump is set to hold a rally on behalf of Perdue and Loeffler on Monday in Georgia. The outcome of the Tuesday election will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Since the start of early voting on Dec. 14, more than 2.5 million Georgians have already cast their ballots.
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