PHILADELPHIA (Fwrd Axis) — Lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and the Democratic front-runner John Fetterman announced Sunday he has suffered from a stroke and is recovering.
The announcement comes two days before the Pennsylvania Senate primary, which indicates John Fetterman is leading his main rivals, Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta to win the Democratic nomination.
“I had a stroke that was caused by a clot from my heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too long. Fortunately, Gisele spotted the symptoms and got me to the hospital within minutes,” Fetterman, 52, said in a statement, referring to his wife. “The amazing doctors here were able to quickly and completely remove the clot, reversing the stroke, they got my heart under control as well.”
On Friday, I wasn’t feeling well, so I went to the hospital to get checked out.
I didn’t want to go – I didn’t think I had to – but @giselefetterman insisted, and as usual, she was right.
The good news is I’m feeling much better + I’m well on my way to a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/WQ5X6QgQen
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) May 15, 2022
Fetterman canceled a campaign appearance on Friday, saying he wasn’t feeling well and went to Lancaster General Hospital. He said Sunday he is “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” and will “take a minute” to rest, he said.
“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,” Fetterman said in his statement. “Thanks for all the support, and please get out there and vote.”
Lamb responded to the news, saying he and his wife are praying for Fetterman’s recovery and Kenyatta called Fetterman “an incredible family man”, wishing him well.
The other key race being watched in the Pennsylvania Senate primary is on the Republican side with front-runners Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick in a tight race with Kathy Barnette making a late surge to stun and win the nomination.
Oz was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who attacked Barnette in a statement on Sunday in the hopes of boosting Oz.
