John Fetterman, Senate Candidate for Pennsylvania, Suffers Stroke

MAY 16 2022·Updated JAN 2 2023

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Image credit: Getty Images/TNS [via Rawstory]

The Facts

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has been hospitalized following a stroke, just two days before the state's primary election.
New York Post
The democratic candidate tweeted that doctors were able to remove a blood clot and stabilize his heart. He also stated that he didn't suffer any cognitive damage.
CBS News
Fetterman assured supporters that his primary campaigning would continue on Tues., claiming he was "still on track to win" the primary and flip the Senate seat in November.
Daily Caller
He has lead the Dems in polling and fundraising since the start of the primary campaign. He has also been open about his push to lose weight, being over 400lbs before losing nearly 150lbs in 2018.
PBS NewsHour
Rivals Conor Lamb and Malcom Kenyatta both wished Fetterman well, with Kenyatta saying he looked "forward to seeing him back on the campaign trail soon".
NBC

Sources Split

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

The race to replace Pennsylvania's retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is one of the Dem's most significant electoral opportunities. Although this is a bump in the road, Fetterman is ready to fight in this high-stakes race.

Bloomberg.com

Republican narrative

The revelation has created a cloud of uncertainty for the Democrats. Fetterman's imposing stature is a large part of his political appeal - a showing of physical weakness may boost the Republican party's chances in Pennsylvania.