Campaign: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democrat running for Senate, had stroke

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the main Democrat within the state’s high-profile Senate contest, has suffered a stroke however is on his strategy to a “full restoration,” his marketing campaign stated on Sunday.

Fetterman, 52, stated in a press release that he wasn’t feeling properly Friday and went to the hospital on the urging of his spouse.

“I had a stroke that was brought on by a clot from my coronary heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too lengthy,” Fetterman stated in a press release. He stated the medical doctors had been capable of take away the clot, “reversing the stroke,” and obtained his coronary heart underneath management.

“The excellent news is I am feeling significantly better, and the medical doctors inform me I did not undergo any cognitive harm,” he says within the assertion.

The beautiful revelation, which comes simply two days earlier than Pennsylvania’s major election, creates deep uncertainty for Democrats in a state that represents one in all their finest Senate pickup alternatives within the nation.

Fetterman stated he’ll keep within the race.

“Our marketing campaign is not slowing down one bit, and we’re nonetheless on observe to win this major on Tuesday, and flip this Senate seat in November,” the assertion stated. “Thanks for all of the assist, and please get on the market and vote.”

Questions on Fetterman well being swirled all through the weekend after he canceled scheduled public appearances Friday, Saturday and Sunday. His marketing campaign cited a well being challenge, however was not particular till Sunday.

Whereas hundreds of early votes have already been solid, Pennsylvania Democrats on Tuesday will decide their common election nominee from a four-person area that options Fetterman, three-term Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

Fetterman is the sturdy favourite. He has led polls and fundraising from the beginning, even because the occasion’s institution rallied round Lamb. Regardless of such assist, Lamb struggled to succeed in voters and even pierce Fetterman’s rock-solid standing with major voters.

Fetterman, who’s 6-foot-8, has been open about his push to drop some weight prior to now. He weighed in at over 400 kilos earlier than dropping practically 150 kilos in 2018.

His imposing stature has been an enormous a part of his political enchantment.

The previous western Pennsylvania mayor has tattoos down his arms, a clean-shaven head and a goatee. He cusses on social media and wears shorts virtually in every single place, even within the winter.

The Related Press contributed to this report.