Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman, the front runner in this Tuesday’s Democrat primary for U.S. Senate, suffered a stroke Friday and is expected to make a full recovery according to a statement released Sunday. The 52-year-old Fetterman also released a short video to accompany the statement that shows him in a hospital room with his wife, Gisele. Gisele does most of the talking while John Fetterman only speaks briefly and moves just his left arm while seated in a chair wearing a dark hoodie.
Fetterman, who is vaccinated against COVID, blamed the stroke causing clot on atrial fibrillation.
I said I would only get my COVID vaccine when any Pennsylvanian could, as a walk-in, get one.
Today, as a walk-in, I did just that.
Thanks to our friends at @AHNtoday for their *remarkably* efficient, friendly vaccination clinic today in Monroeville. pic.twitter.com/4b8pWXnZgD
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 26, 2021
“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.”
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
https://twitter.com/JohnFetterman/status/1525922874552242181
Gisele released a follow-up video saying that Fetterman loves Pennsylvania so much his “heart asks for a rest.”
“I guess when your heart is that big and it carries so much love for his state, sometimes it asks for a rest.”
https://twitter.com/giselefetterman/status/1525929059447971842
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman released the following statement from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital:
“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 Gisele insisted, and as usual, she was right. I hadn’t been feeling well, but was so focused on the campaign that I ignored the signs and just kept going. On Friday it finally caught up with me. 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. The amazing doctors here were able to quickly and completely remove the clot, reversing the stroke, they got my heart under control as well. It’s a good reminder to listen to your body and be aware of the signs.
“The good news is 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. So I have a lot to be thankful for. They’re keeping me here for now for observation, but I should be out of here sometime soon. 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.
“But 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. Thanks for all the support, and please get out there and vote.”
John and Gisele also released this video from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital on Sunday.
The kick-ass staff and doctors at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health are working closely and constantly with our campaign team to ensure there is only one voice speaking on behalf of John. They have been extremely supportive and helpful over the course of the past couple days.
Fetterman has taken a large lead in the race over Democrat Congressman Conor Lamb, according a poll released May 5 that showed him ahead 53 percent to 14 percent.
UPDATE via Politico’s Holly Otterbein: “Fetterman spokesman Joe Calvello, asked why the press wasn’t alerted earlier of his Friday stroke, says: “John’s condition was evolving in real time since Friday. We wanted to put out something once we had a clearer picture of his health.”
Fetterman spokesman Joe Calvello, asked why the press wasn’t alerted earlier of his Friday stroke, says: “John’s condition was evolving in real time since Friday. We wanted to put out something once we had a clearer picture of his health.”
— Holly Otterbein (@hollyotterbein) May 15, 2022
