ATLANTA — A controversial state lawmaker is back inside the state Capitol on Thursday, two days after law enforcement officers removed him from the House of Representatives for refusing to take the required COVID-19 tests.
Each state lawmaker is required to take two Georgia Tech administered COVID-19 tests a week in an effort to prevent the same kind of outbreak that caused the General Assembly to suspend the 2020 session for three months.
State Rep. David Clark, a Buford Republican, however, has refused to take the tests since the session began, prompting House Speaker David Ralston to order his removal from the House chamber.
Clark returned Thursday morning, only to find the way to his seat in the upper gallery blocked by law enforcement and House staff.
He left and returned several minutes later, saying he had received a private provider test along with a Georgia Tech test.
Both tests, he said, came back negative.
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Later, Clark said his refusal was based on the belief it was keeping others, like first responders and teachers, from getting tested — something that is not true. In Georgia, anyone who wants to get a test, can.
“I went down, took the test because I wanted to sit at the table to work for my district, but I still stand by what I said,” Clark said. “I’m all about safety, and so I’m going to test to make people feel better. But I know there’s people out there who need it.”
State Rep. Dexter Sharper is a Valdosta Democrat who is recovering from a serious bout of COVID-19. He must wear a portable oxygen generator while working at the Capitol.
He felt Clark’s decision was misguided.
“I think his logic and him not wanting to be tested really shows to me that that’s a selfish act,” Sharper said. “That’s a selfish act to not want to protect others and protect yourself.”
Clark has butted heads with Ralston over the past few years. Ralston said he’s heard Clark will now get tested, so it’s time to move past this controversy.
“I don’t have any patience for people who live in an alternate reality,” Ralston said. “I’ve been trying to pass a budget and trying to move a legislative session through. I don’t have the time for this kind of foolishness.”
Cox Media Group
