Pennsylvania US Senate Candidate Fetterman Hospitalized After Stroke

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman speaks during a pess conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Feb. 7, 2019. (Keith Srakocic/AP Photo)

Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate and current Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said on May 15 that he suffered a stroke but is recovering in the hospital.

“I’m feeling much better, and the doctors tell me I didn’t suffer any cognitive damage. I’m well on my way to a full recovery,” the Democrat said in a statement. Fetterman, who is still hospitalized, said he intends to continue in the Senate race.

Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary election is on May 17 and some analysts and polls suggest Fetterman is favored to win. He’s facing U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

“I had a stroke that was caused by a clot from my heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too long,” Fetterman said in the statement, referring to atrial fibrillation. “Our campaign isn’t slowing down one bit, and we are still on track to win this primary on Tuesday, and flip this Senate seat in November.

“Doctors here were able to quickly and completely remove the clot, reversing the stroke, they got my heart under control as well.

“The doctors have assured me that I’ll be able to get back on the trail, but first I need to take a minute, get some rest, and recover. There’s so much at stake in this race, and I’m going to be ready for the hard fight ahead.”

According to reports, Fetterman, 52, started canceling events on May 13. As he was scheduled to hold an event in Lancaster, campaign spokesman Joe Calvelo told the crowd that Fetterman wasn’t feeling well. He also reportedly canceled events on May 14 and May 15.

“As I said at the first debate, John is an incredible family man. My prayers are with him and his family as he recovers from this stroke,” Kenyatta told CNN. “I look forward to seeing him back on the campaign trail soon.”

“I just found out on live TV that Lieutenant Governor Fetterman suffered a stroke,” Lamb wrote. “Hayley and I are keeping John and his family in our prayers and wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”

In the Republican primary contest, physician-TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, and commentator Kathy Barnette are the leading candidates to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Pat Toomey.

“I have cared for atrial fibrillation patients and witnessed the miracles of modern medicine in the treatment of strokes, so I am thankful that you received care so quickly. My whole family is praying for your speedy recovery,” Oz wrote in a Twitter post on May 15.