North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said he is doing “fine” in a quick video from a Washington D.C. hospital. The 57-year-old Republican collapsed early this morning during a charity race.
“I’m doing well. Looking forward to getting back to work. Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes,” Tillis wrote in the caption with the video.
“Hey everybody, I’m fine,” Tillis said in the 10-second video. “Just running and about two-and-a-half miles in, got overheated. No CPR, no special measures. Just checking me out. See you back on the hill.”
Tillis was participating in the annual three-mile ACLI Capital Challenge in Anacostia Park this morning. Just after 8:30 a.m., the Associated Press reported that the Senator collapsed and received CPR. He was unconscious, but was revived by three runners, according to WUSA’s Debra Alfarone before an ambulance arrived.
Journalist Justin Kirland tweeted that another person collapsed during the race and both were taken to MedStar Health. Others at the race tweeted that it was surprisingly hot in D.C., reaching 70 degrees at the start of the race.
Tillis was joined by members of his staff and had his own “Team Tillis” at the race. Proceeds from the race raised money for Fidelco Guide Dogs. Senators Shelley Capito, Tom Cotton, John Cornyn and Tammy Duckworth and 13 House members also participated in the race.
Tillis is currently in his first term in the Senate. He was elected in 2014, beating Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan. He sits on the Armed Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. He is married to Susan Tillis and has two children.