Missouri State Rep. Sara Walsh and her husband Steve, both unvaccinated, have COVID-19

State Rep. Sara Walsh and her husband have contracted COVID-19, with Steve Walsh hospitalized on a ventilator.

She posted Tuesday on Facebook: "Friends, please pray for my precious husband Steve Walsh. He is very sick and is in the hospital. We serve a miracle working God and tonight please help me get prayers lifted up for Steve’s healing and recovery.

"Steve is my sweet love and my best friend in the whole world."

She also sought prayers Thursday for Steve in a post on Twitter, inviting people to attend a special prayer meeting held Thursday night at Ashland Baptist Church, where the two are members.

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Sara Walsh, a Republican running for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler's seat in Congress, has been recovering at home. Steve Walsh is Hartzler's spokesman.

The couple was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sara Walsh said she did not get the vaccine because it has not been fully approved the federal Food and Drug Administration and she was concerned about risk factors, KRCG reported.

She also said she had friends who had negative reactions to the vaccine and she was not concerned about being vaccinated because she had been healthy since the pandemic began.

Reached briefly by phone Friday, Sara Walsh was coughing and requested to communicate by text.

"I am humbled and grateful for the overwhelming number of people throughout our state and nation who are standing with me in prayer for my husband," she wrote. "I have received hundreds of messages of love and support. Steve's name has been added to countless church prayer lists and our pastor held a prayer service last night. There is power in the mighty name of Jesus!

"Steve's health is gradually progressing in the right direction," she continued in the text. "I am making great improvements at home. I am standing on God's promises and praying for Steve's complete healing. Please continue to lift up my husband and the medical workers in prayer."

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She didn't address a question texted to her about whether either of them now regretted not getting the vaccine.

Walsh was first elected to the state House in 2017 and serves on the influential House Budget Committee and leads a budget subcommittee.

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The Associated Press and KRCG contributed to this report.

rmckinney@columbiatrbune.com