Democrat Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke was hospitalized with a bacterial infection and has cancelled all upcoming campaign events until further notice.
O’Rourke has been discharged from the hospital, but says that he will be resting at home on the recommendation of the doctors who treated him.
“After feeling ill on Friday, I went to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio where I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection,” O’Rourke tweeted. “The extraordinary team there — from custodians to nurses and doctors — gave me excellent care and attention, including IV antibiotics and rest.”
In a follow-up tweet, the candidate wrote that he will be back on the road as soon as he is able.
“While my symptoms have improved, I will be resting at home in El Paso in accordance with the doctors’ recommendations,” O’Rourke continued. “I am sorry to have had to postpone events because of this, but promise to be back on the road with you as soon as I am able.”
O’Rourke is running against incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the November election.
It is unclear what kind of bacterial infection he had.
The campaign has had some tense moments, particularly after the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which left 19 children and two adults dead.
In May, O’Rourke was escorted out of a press conference about the shooting that Gov. Abbott was speaking at.
The Democratic candidate stood up and started shouting at the governor from the audience.
“This is on you”, O’Rourke said, pointing at the governor and blaming him for the tragedy.
Beto O’Rourke interrupts ongoing press conference by Texas Gov. Abbott and other officials. pic.twitter.com/qa8YY0ghQy
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 25, 2022
Officials on the stage demanded that he leave the building.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin was heard calling O’Rourke a “sick son of a b-tch” for his antics.
Abbott responded by asserting that “we need to think of something other than ourselves, think of the people who have been hurt. And help those who have been hurt.”
A poll conducted by the Dallas Morning News and UT Tyler earlier this month showed Abbott up 7 points in the race.
