Earlier this month, two prominent Democrats suffered strokes. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., suffered a stroke while giving a speech, and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman was hospitalized for stroke only five days before winning the Democratic nomination to U.S. Senate.
Monday, a third leading Democrat was rushed to the hospital after he suffered a stroke.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, one of the most prominent Democrats in the Tarheel state, said Tuesday he is recovering from a “minor stroke.” He tweeted that he has suffered stroke-like symptoms Monday night after he and his wife, Anna, walked the family dog.
Stein, 55, may have suffered a more severe case than the other two. He underwent emergency surgery to remove a small blood clot.
Stein’s office confirmed his medical emergency and his stay in a Raleigh hospital, and Stein’s office said the clot-removal procedure was successful.
“I’m feeling back to normal now and am beyond blessed to have no lingering effects,” Stein wrote, adding that his physician wants him to stay in the hospital another day or two, then get some rest before returning to work.
“Anna is my hero for recognizing that something was wrong and insisting that I go to the hospital,” Stein said, while also praising the emergency medical technicians who took him for medical help. The couple has three children.
“I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for this morning, especially my loving family,” he added.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle offered Stein their best wishes on social media.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted that he spoke to Stein on Tuesday morning and “he’s doing well. Already back at it on the phone and corresponding. Can’t keep a good man down.”
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, prayed for Stein’s “full and speedy recovery.”
Praying for a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/ZqCzgPySvS
— Speaker Tim Moore (@NCHouseSpeaker) May 24, 2022
Just talked to AG @JoshStein_ and he’s doing well. Already back at it on the phone and corresponding. Can’t keep a good man down. – RC https://t.co/2iiLLItZc7
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) May 24, 2022
While Fetterman and Van Hollen are running in this year’s elections, Stein remains in the middle of his second term. He was narrowly elected as the state’s top law enforcement official in 2016, and he won reelection in 2020.
In North Carolina, the attorney general is not subject to term limits. However, Stein has been considered a potential 2024 gubernatorial candidate to succeed Cooper, who is barred by term limits from running again.
Stein led the consumer protection division in the Department of Justice when Cooper was attorney general before Stein went into private practice.
Stein announced May 17 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 the day before but said he had no symptoms.
While attorney general, Stein has been known for his involvement in a national opioid settlement and for a landmark legal settlement that forced electronic cigarette giant Juul Labs Inc. to pay $40 million to North Carolina and take more action to prevent underage use and sales.
Stein, the son of civil rights attorney Adam Stein, grew up in Chapel Hill. He went to Dartmouth College and later Harvard University, where he received a law degree.
He was campaign manager for John Edwards in his successful U.S. Senate bid in 1998.
The Horn editorial team and the Associated Press contributed to this article.