Undergoes emergency surgery

Minnesota GOP Senate candidate undergoes emergency surgery

Former Rep. Jason Lewis was suffering from "a severe internal hernia," according to his campaign.

By JAMES ARKIN

Minnesota Republican Jason Lewis, the party's nominee for Senate, underwent successful, emergency surgery Monday to fix a severe internal hernia, his campaign announced in a statement.

Lewis, a former one-term congressman, is running against Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, who is running for a full term after winning a special election in 2018. Lewis' campaign manager said in a statement Monday morning that Lewis was rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal pain, and doctors determined it required immediate surgery.

"Following tests and examination, doctors determined that he is suffering from a severe internal hernia, a diagnosis which they indicated is life-threatening if not treated quickly," said Tom Szymanski, Lewis' campaign manager. "As such, Congressman Lewis was rushed into emergency surgery which he is now undergoing.

"Prior to being taken to the operating room, Jason was in good spirits, optimistic, and true to form, he was speculating about when he could resume campaigning, eager to continue fighting for his fellow Minnesotans," Szymanski added. He said the campaign would release more information as it became available.

Szymanski said in a statement later Monday afternoon that Lewis' surgery was successful.

"I am very pleased to report that according to Congressman Lewis’ doctor, his emergency surgery this morning to treat an internal hernia was successful and minimally invasive. Provided that his recovery continues on a positive trajectory, doctors anticipate that he is likely to be released from the hospital in the next couple of days," he said.

In a post on Twitter, Smith said she and her husband, Archie, "are wishing Jason Lewis a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

Lewis was defeated for reelection to his House seat in 2018 but faced little opposition to becoming the party's nominee to face Smith, who was appointed in 2018 to fill Al Franken's former seat.