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Top Utah Republican has COVID-19

House Majority Leader Mike Schultz started having coronavirus-like symptoms on Tuesday.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, left, concludes a meeting announcing Rep. Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, center, as new House majority leader along with Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, at right, during a press event at the Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.

  | Nov. 19, 2021, 2:45 p.m.

Utah House Majority Leader Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, tested positive for COVID-19 after becoming symptomatic on Tuesday night, causing him to miss interim meetings on Wednesday.

He said his symptoms so far are mild.

“Just a few aches, not bad though. The biggest thing for me is I don’t have the energy I normally have,” Schultz said in a text message.

Schultz has not been vaccinated against the virus, but is careful to stress he is not anti-vaccine.

”I’ve been exposed and tried multiple times to get COVID. My wife had it a year ago, and I tried to get it from her so I could get it over with before last year’s session,” Schultz said. “I just assumed I was one of those people who couldn’t get it.”

Schultz was elected the #2 Republican in the Utah House last week, replacing Francis Gibson on the leadership team. Gibson announced his retirement from the Legislature late last month.