Illinois 13th Democratic candidate to self-quarantine after exposure to coronavirus
A Democratic candidate for the Illinois 13th Congressional District said Sunday she plans to quarantine herself after she was exposed to someone who later tested positive for coronavirus.
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, who is running for her party’s nomination in Tuesday’s primary, said she will self-quarantine until March 22, two weeks since she was exposed to the person. Londrigan was not showing symptoms as of Sunday.
Londrigan, of Springfield, said she plans to work from home and her campaign office will “completely shut down,” though staff will remain available by phone and email.
Though she has practiced social distancing, Londrigan said self-quarantine was the safest action to take. She voted by proxy Monday.
“This is a novel virus meaning we’re still learning about what it exactly is, how it’s transmitted and so I’m doing this out of an abundance of caution to make sure I’m doing my part to make sure I keep my family, community and Central Illinois healthy,” Londrigan said in a video posted to her Twitter account.
Londrigan faces Stefanie Smith in the Democratic primary. Londrigan lost to Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis in 2018 but drew 49.6% of the vote.
The 13th district stretches across all or parts of 14 counties in Central Illinois, including parts of Madison County.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 4:39 PM.
