State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff Tests Positive for COVID-19

A Centre County state representative and the No. 2 Republican in the Pennsylvania House is quarantining at home after testing positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19.

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, is fully vaccinated and was tested just before Thanksgiving when he began experiencing mild symptoms, according to a statement from his office. Test results received on Monday confirmed the diagnosis.

Benninghoff has not been in the state Capitol since Nov. 18 and has been quarantining since being tested, the statement said.

“I am thankful for the health care professionals who have helped me, and many others, through this process,” Benninghoff said. “I will continue to follow their advice and all COVID-19 protocols of the House Republican Caucus before ending my quarantine. My symptoms are mild, and I am working from home as my offices in Bellefonte, Reedsville and Harrisburg continue to serve the people of the 171st District and deliver on a productive agenda for the people of Pennsylvania.”

Benninghoff is in the middle of his 13th term representing the 171st District, which includes portions of Centre and Mifflin County. In Centre County, the district represents Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim boroughs; Gregg, Harris, Penn, Potter, Spring and Walker townships; and parts of College and Ferguson townships.

He has been House majority leader since June 2020 after spending a year and a half as majority whip.

Benninghoff is the second high-ranking state legislator from Centre County to test positive for COVID-19 this month. State Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, the top Republican in the Senate, postponed the announcement of his campaign for governor after testing positive in early November.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, also tested positive for COVID-19 in October.

Corman and Thompson also said they were fully vaccinated and both have since recovered.