Republican Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw experienced a brief health scare during Sunday night’s debate against Democratic Rep. Andy Kim in New Jersey. The incident, which caused a 10-minute pause in the proceedings, occurred as Bashaw was discussing affordability issues.
Bashaw, 63, suddenly stopped mid-sentence, appeared to sway, and had difficulty speaking. His Democratic opponent, Kim, 42, quickly approached Bashaw’s podium to check on his well-being. After a brief exchange, the debate moderator, Laura Jones, called for a commercial break to “address some issues here on the stage.”
Paramedics and first responders examined Bashaw during the break. He returned to the stage after about 10 minutes, explaining the episode to the audience: “I got so worked up about this affordability issue that I realized I hadn’t eaten so much food today. So I appreciate your indulgence.”
Following the debate, Bashaw took to social media to address concerns about his health. “Thank you all for the well wishes! I was out campaigning all day, and I never stopped to get a bite to eat. Excited to eat pizza with my fantastic volunteers at the post-debate party tonight!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A spokesperson for Bashaw’s campaign further clarified the situation to Fox News Digital: “Curtis is fine! He was on the campaign trail all day and didn’t get a chance to eat. He stepped off-stage and had a protein bar and some Coke and came back to debate five minutes later.”
The New Jersey Globe, which sponsored the debate, reported that both candidates “appeared sharp for the rest of the night” following the incident.
This debate was the first of three scheduled between Bashaw and Kim as they compete for the Senate seat recently vacated by Bob Menendez, who resigned following his indictment in a corruption case. Bashaw, a hotel entrepreneur from Camden County, is aiming to become the first Republican senator elected in New Jersey since 1972.
The candidates are set to face off again on October 15 at an event held by NJ Spotlight News and NJ PBS, with a final debate scheduled for October 22, sponsored by News 12 New Jersey.
After the health scare, the debate continued with the candidates debated key issues such as abortion and illegal immigration. The race remains closely watched as both parties vie for control of the Senate in the upcoming election on November 5.
Take a look at the scary moment —
Curtis Bashaw appears to have medical episode during NJ senate debate pic.twitter.com/w9RBg1WGu1
— Yaddle (@WigShoppe) October 7, 2024
Update: 🍕acquired. Thanks for your support, everyone! https://t.co/qVo1EB1DZf pic.twitter.com/bKVT6If7JB
— Curtis Bashaw (@Bashawforsenate) October 7, 2024