Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy is in the hospital after having a stroke, his office says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Chris Murphy is in the hospital after suffering a stroke and is “awake and alert” as he receives treatment, the Connecticut Democratic office said Sunday.

Murphy’s chief of staff, Allison Herwitt, said in a statement that the 53-year-old senator “began experiencing numbness in his arm while attending his son’s hockey game” on Saturday.

“He was taken to a local hospital, where it was discovered he had had a stroke,” she said. “He has been transferred to Johns Hopkins for further monitoring and is responding well to treatment. The doctors are encouraged by his progress, he is awake and alert, and we are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.”

Murphy was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and the Senate in 2012. He is not on the ballot Tuesday.

In the Senate, he serves on the Appropriations Committee and is a leading voice on immigration and gun policy. He is considered a candidate for higher leadership positions in the Senate and among several Democrats considered potential contenders for the White House in 2028.

Three other Democratic senators have suffered strokes in recent years.

Senators Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland had strokes in 2022 and have since recovered. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman had a stroke while campaigning for his seat that same year and now uses adaptive technology in the Senate, including live captioning on a phone or tablet that transcribes words as people speak to him and helps him process the conversation.

Fetterman said on social media Sunday that his family is “supporting Chris and his family for a full and speedy recovery.”

Several Republican senators, including Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, also offered prayers for Murphy.

President Donald Trump said he was “really surprised” to learn of Murphy’s stroke.

“Nobody wants to have that,” he said.

Murphy has traveled the country supporting House and Senate candidates as his party fights for majority control. On Friday, he announced he was campaigning in his home state for Gov. Ned Lamont. Last week, Murphy posted from Minnesota campaigning with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the Democratic Senate candidate.

The final sprint before Election Day capped Murphy’s whirlwind trip to the Middle East in early October to meet with several leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In early September, Murphy completed his annual “walk across Connecticut,” traveling about 70 miles over four days, talking with residents about their concerns along the way.

“Thinking of my great friend and colleague, Chris Murphy,” Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, wrote on Sunday. “I know how hard he is fighting and I am sure I will welcome him back to the Senate soon.”

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.