Sanders undergoes heart-blockage surgery, suspends campaign events
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, underwent a medical procedure on Tuesday following a blockage discovered in one of his arteries, causing his campaign to cancel future events “until further notice.”
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally in Raleigh, N.C., on March 11, 2016. Credit Scott Pelkey ne014x/Flickr.
“During a campaign event yesterday evening, Sen. Sanders experienced some chest discomfort. Following medical evaluation and testing, he was found to have a blockage in one artery, and two stents were successfully inserted,” said Jeff Weaver, a senior campaign adviser, in a statement.
“Sen. Sanders is conversing and in good spirits. He will be resting up over the next few days. We are cancelling his events and appearances until further notice, and we will continue to provide appropriate updates,” he added.
Sanders, 78, who became the first Jewish candidate in history to win a presidential primary in 2016, cancelled three campaign events in South Carolina last month in order to rest his voice.
Nevertheless, the campaign announced Tuesday that it had raised $25.3 million in the third quarter—an increase of more than $7 million from the previous three months. At the same time, he has declined lately in the polls.
JNS
