NH Speaker Pro Tem Kimberly Rice Has Coronavirus

CONCORD, NH — A leader of the New Hampshire Statehouse announced Saturday that she's fighting coronavirus — just days after House Speaker Richard Hinch died of the virus.

State Rep. Kimberly Rice, (R-Hudson), announced her illness in a Facebook post on Saturday and said she was "feeling horrible." Rice was appointed by Hinch as Speaker Pro Tem — the third in command after the House Speaker and Deputy Speaker — on Dec. 2.

Hinch, 71, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He had presided over an outdoor Organization Day on Dec. 2, and had attended political gatherings without wearing a mask. An event at the McIntyre Ski area in Manchester on Nov. 20 resulted in Hinch and other lawmakers testing positive for the virus.

After Hinch's death, Gov. Chris Sununu chastised New Hampshire lawmakers who refused to wear masks.

"Don’t act like a bunch of children, frankly," Sununu said.

Here's Rice's full statement:

I’ve just jumped on here because it’s the easiest way to reach many at once. I want to thank everyone for the well wishes, I’m feeling horrible but prayers are appreciated. This has been one of the toughest weeks i think I’ve ever had. I will beat covid... I’m logging off again because being on here is not good for my health. This post is also not a platform for anyone to debate covid, if you feel the need for that please keep it on your wall not mine because I’m too busy struggling to breath to fight with anyone. Take care everyone and be safe.

New Hampshire is experiencing a coronavirus surge. There were 6,824 active COVID-19 cases as of Friday, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The state saw its seven-day average of new cases hit a pandemic high of 854.7 per day on Dec. 8.