U.S. Rep. David Price tests positive for COVID, says he has mild symptoms

Rep. David Price speaks during a press conference at the Community School for People Under Six in Carrboro on Oct. 7, 2021.

Retiring U.S. Rep. David Price said Saturday he has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Chapel Hill Democrat, who has served in Congress for more than three decades, said he was experiencing mild “cold-like” symptoms and has been fully vaccinated and received a booster shot. He said he would follow public health guidance on quarantining after testing positive.

Price, 81, announced last October that he would not run for reelection. He has represented North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District since 1997. Before that, he represented the district from 1987 to 1995, losing reelection during a wave of Republican victories in the U.S. House in the 1994 midterm elections.

His decision to retire from Congress at the end of his current term opened the heavily Democratic district to new candidates for the first time in several years.

Eight people ran in the Democratic primary to replace Price.

State Sen. Valerie Foushee defeated Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam, “American Idol” winner Clay Aiken and other candidates in Tuesday’s primary.

Foushee will face Republican nominee Courtney Geels in the November general election.