Sanders has heart stent surgery after chest discomfort
October 2, 2019
Bernie Sanders experienced chest discomfort during a campaign event on Tuesday and had two stents inserted to address a blockage in an artery, his campaign announced.
“Sen. Sanders is conversing and in good spirits. He will be resting up over the next few days," senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement. "We are canceling his events and appearances until further notice, and we will continue to provide appropriate updates.”
Sanders has kept up a relentless campaign schedule, particularly during the summer months, and often makes three or four stops a day in different regions. He was scheduled to appear at a gun policy forum in Nevada Wednesday, and then make seven stops in California on Thursday and Friday.
At 78, Sanders is the oldest candidate in the Democratic field. But the senator projects vigor belying his age on the trail, and has not been faced with questions regarding stamina and mental acuity that have plagued former Vice President Joe Biden, who is two years younger.
Advertising Analytics, an ad tracking firm, confirmed to POLITICO that the Sanders campaign canceled the entirety of its recently scheduled ad buy in Iowa on broadcast and cable television. The Sanders campaign had announced a $1.3 million ad buy on Monday in the state, and it was set to begin on Thursday. Mike Casca, a spokesman for Sanders, said it's "just a postponement" and did not elaborate further.
The news of Sanders' surgery comes a day after he posted a robust $25 million fundraising haul in the third quarter of the year, but as he's been eclipsed in recent weeks by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the polls.
"Bruce, Team Warren, and I are sending all our best wishes for a speedy recovery to @BernieSanders," Warren tweeted Wednesday. "I hope to see my friend back on the campaign trail very soon."
Kamala Harris and Cory Booker also tweeted messages of support.
"Glad to hear my friend @BernieSanders is doing well and in good spirits—wishing him a speedy recovery," Booker wrote.
"Thinking of @BernieSanders today and wishing him a speedy recovery," Harris posted. "If there's one thing I know about him, he's a fighter and I look forward to seeing him on the campaign trail soon."
Sanders received seven stitches in May after cutting his head on a glass shower door, but was given a "clean bill of health" and attended all of his previously scheduled campaign events in the subsequent days.
Zach Montellaro contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.politico.com/
