Senator Thom Tillis Rushed to Hospital After Collapsing

Thom Tillis

(Getty)

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during a charity race in Washington D.C. The 57-year-old Republican, who is the state’s junior Senator, later released a video from the hospital, telling everyone that he’s doing fine and “just got overheated.”

The Associated Press first reported that Tillis collapsed. According to the AP, Tillis was on the ground about 15-20 minutes after the three-mile race started at 8 p.m. ET. in Anacostia Park. He was revived after CPR was administered, and breathing when he was taken by the ambulance.

Debra Alfarone, of CBS D.C. affiliate WUSA, wrote that Tillis stopped breathing and three runners stopped to save his life.

Tillis was participating in the ACLI Capital Challenge in Washington D.C., to support Fidelco Guide Dogs. He was leading his own “Team Tillis,” with members of his staff joining him for the race. Tillis was one of five Senators running in the event, alongside Senators Shelley Capito, Tom Cotton, John Cornyn and Tammy Duckworth. Thirteen House members were also participating.

Journalist Justin Kirkland also reported that another person collapsed during the race. Kirkland wrote that Tillis and the other person were taken to MedStar Health. Others noted that it was unexpectedly hot in D.C., reaching 70 degrees by 8 a.m.

Senator Marco Rubio asked his followers to pray for his colleague. Other politicians followed, posting their reactions to the news on Twitter.

Senator Ted Cruz also asked for thoughts and prayers:

Jennifer Roberts, the mayor of Charlotte, wrote:

North Carolina State House member Jason Saine wrote:

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, wrote:

Tillis was elected in 2014, beating Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan. He sits in two important committees – the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees. He also sits on the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Tillis was previously the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. He is married to Susan Tillis and has two children.

The news came while Washington continues to deal with the ongoing controversies at the Trump White House. Tillis issued a statement on the reports that President Donald Trump shared highly classified information with Russian diplomats at the Oval Office last week. “Members of Congress should be provided with more information from the administration about the recent report,” Tillis said.

This is a breaking story and will continue to be updated.