Pence adviser Marty Obst tests positive for COVID-19

One of Vice President Pence’s closest advisers, Marty Obst, tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to multiple reports. 

The adviser tested positive on Wednesday, Bloomberg News first reported. It was not immediately confirmed whether Obst is experiencing symptoms from the virus. 

Obst is not a Trump administration employee, although he is frequently in contact with the vice president and visits the grounds of the White House, according to Bloomberg. He was last in contact with Pence about a week ago.  

Pence on Saturday traveled to Florida to give a speech at a campaign event. 

The news comes weeks after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus, as well as their son, Barron.

A slate of top Republicans in Washington have also tested positive for the virus, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, among others. 

Katie Miller, Pence’s communications director, contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.  

The Hill has reached out to the vice president’s office for comment. 

Celine Castronuovo contributed