Minnesota Gov. Dayton, 69, collapses during speech
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed while delivering his State of the State speech on Monday, striking his head on a lectern. The 69-year-old Democrat appeared to be conscious as he was helped into a back room several minutes later, and a top staffer said he walked out of the Capitol under his own power.
Dayton’s chief of staff Jaime Tincher said Dayton quickly recovered after fainting roughly 40 minutes into his annual address. Tincher said he was spending time with his son and grandson after a routine check by emergency medical technicians at his home.
She said he still plans to release a detailed budget proposal Tuesday morning.
Dayton’s son Eric, who was watching the speech from the House gallery, tweeted that his father was with him and he was “doing great.” Eric Dayton also tweeted that the governor was doing “a very advanced puzzle” with his grandson Hugo, “so that has to be a good sign!”