Elections

PA Senate Candidate John Fetterman Hospitalized With Stroke Days Before Democratic Primary

RECOVERING

Fetterman says he’s feeling “much better” and did not suffer any cognitive damage.

GettyImages-1396560246_zvyrzn
Michael M Santiago/Getty Images

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. and Senate candidate John Fetterman revealed on Twitter that he checked into the hospital on Friday after he felt under the weather. According to a statement he posted Sunday afternoon, he suffered “a stroke that was caused by a clot from my heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too long.” Fetterman credited his wife, Gisele, for quickly spotting the signs and prodding him to seek medical treatment.

“Fortunately the amazing doctors here were able to completely clear the clot and entirely reverse the stroke,” Gisele Fetterman said in a video update Sunday afternoon. “They also got his heart under control. The good news is he’s feeling much better and the doctors say he’s well on his on the way to a full recovery... they are keeping him here for now for observation. The doctors have assured us that he'll be able to get back on the trail but first under doctor orders and my orders he needs a minute to rest and recover.

John Fetterman said he is feeling “much better” and did not suffer any cognitive damage. His campaign had canceled a stream of events Friday evening, citing Fetterman’s health but providing no further details.

ADVERTISEMENT

The stroke comes just days before the Pennsylvania’s Senate primary is set to take place on Tuesday. Fetterman has been the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, with double-digit leads in polling over his closest rival, Representative Conor Lamb.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.