North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis was hospitalized in George Washington University Hospital on Wednesday morning after he suffered a medical problem while running in the annual American Council of Life Capital Challenge race in Washington. Tillis later tweeted from his hospital bed to reassure others that he was doing well:
Event spokesperson Jeff Darman said Tillis suffered a seizure, but was alert when medical responders arrived.
Tillis, 56, elected to the Senate in 2014, serves on various committees in the Senate, including armed services, judiciary and veterans’ affairs. He is a staunch conservative, having stated that human life begins at conception; he once stated, “Probably my proudest moment in public service happened this morning when I was driving up here. I just received the endorsement of the National Right to Life, and more than anybody else, more than any organization I can think of, I’m proud that they recognize the work that we’ve done to save the lives of the unborn.”
Tillis also supported the idea that marriage means a relationship between one man and one woman. He was speaker of the North Carolina House in 2012 when voters approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which he supported.
Tillis won a close race for the Senate against Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, 49%-47%, in the most expensive Senate battle in U.S. history.