North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee speaks with reporters before a virtual leadership assembly at the Somerset Academy, a charter school in North Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Lee was the featured speaker.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 | 10:21 a.m.
Republican candidate for governor John Lee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The North Las Vegas mayor made the announcement in a Facebook post Monday evening. He had announced his campaign for Nevada governor earlier in the day.
The 65-year-old Lee said in a statement that he learned Monday afternoon that he came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and then immediately got tested and learned he had contracted it.
Lee said he had not symptoms and was feeling well but would quarantine.
The mayor said he had not yet gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, which has been available to those 65 and older since late February and anyone over 16 since April 5.
When Lee's campaign spokeswoman Courtney Alexander declined to answer when asked why he didn't get vaccinated and instead referred to his statement.
The mayor survived cancer of the nasal cavity after being diagnosed in 2007.
Lee said in a statement he wants his diagnosis to remind people “to continue to take proper precautions.”
The mayor kicked off his campaign earlier Monday by criticizing Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak's handling of the pandemic.
