Rep. Tricia Cotham says ‘serious complications’ require surgery, temporary absence
A Charlotte-area state legislator will be out of the public eye for an unknown amount of time due to medical issues.
Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham, who represents parts of southeast Mecklenburg in the North Carolina House, announced on social media late Wednesday she will undergo surgery.
“I’ve been recovering the last few weeks from medical procedures,” she said on Facebook. “Due to serious complications, I must have a big surgery this week.”
Cotham wrote her “recovery will be intense and lengthy” and she “will not be able to make any public appearances or communicate for a while.” She directed people to reach out to her legislative staff if needed while she’s out of office.
“I apologize in advance for any inconveniences and my inability to communicate,” she wrote, adding a request for privacy for her family and prayers.
Cotham did not specify the nature of her medical issues, but she’s been vocal in the past about her experience with Long COVID. Long COVID is a chronic condition brought on by a COVID-19 infection that “includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen or be ongoing,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
She previously had emergency surgery in November.
Cotham narrowly won another term in office in 2024 after changing political parties from Democrat to Republican.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM with the headline "Rep. Tricia Cotham says ‘serious complications’ require surgery, temporary absence."
