Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was hospitalized after suffering a stroke while attending his son's hockey game on Saturday, his office announced Sunday, Nov. 1. The Democratic senator was responding well to treatment and remained "awake and alert," according to his chief of staff, Allison Herwitt.
Herwitt said Murphy began feeling numbness in his arm during the game on Saturday afternoon. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined that he had suffered a stroke. Murphy was subsequently transferred to Johns Hopkins so that he could undergo additional monitoring.
Doctors were encouraged by Murphy's progress, Herwitt said, adding that his office was optimistic about a full recovery. Johns Hopkins Hospital has its main campus in Baltimore, along with other locations in and around Washington. The statement identified Johns Hopkins as the destination for Murphy's transfer.
The hospitalization came as Murphy was traveling around the country to support Democratic candidates ahead of Tuesday's election. His recent campaign appearances included stops in Michigan, Minnesota and Florida. Murphy himself is not seeking reelection on Tuesday, but he had been scheduled to visit New Hampshire on Sunday to campaign alongside Rep. Chris Pappas, the Democratic Senate candidate.
Murphy, 53, joined the Senate in 2013 after serving six years in the House of Representatives. A prolific fundraiser for Democrats, he is also viewed as a possible contender for the party's presidential nomination in 2028.
His advocacy for tighter gun laws following the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut helped bring him national attention. Murphy has also been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump. His opposition to the administration has included criticism of the war in Iran and the White House's deportation policies.
Other members of the Senate have experienced strokes in recent years. Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland both suffered strokes in 2022. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman had a stroke while campaigning for the Senate that year, just days before his state's Democratic Senate primary.
Connecticut's other Democratic senator, Richard Blumenthal, expressed support for Murphy in a post on X on Sunday. Calling Murphy a close friend and colleague, Blumenthal pointed to his determination and said he expected to welcome him back to the Senate soon.
