Sen. Johnson recovering after emergency surgery

Politics
Sen. Johnson recovering after emergency surgery
Thursday, December 14, 2006

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) is recovering this morning after undergoing emergency brain surgery, according to news reports.

Johnson, 59, fell ill yesterday afternoon and was taken to George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. His office said he might have suffered a stroke.

After an examination, doctors said there was no evidence of a stroke but he remained hospitalized and underwent surgery overnight. His physicians said he is recovering.

Johnson serves on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. With the help of Indian voters, he won re-election in 2000 in an extremely close race with Republican John Thune, who defeated former majority leader Tom Daschle (D) in 2004.

With Democrats in slight control of the Senate, Johnson's condition puts their 51-49 majority in the balance. Should he be unable to serve come January, South Dakota's Republican governor and Legislature would be able to name a replacement.

Get the Story:
Sen. Johnson in Critical Condition After Surgery (The Washington Post 12/14)
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Democrat�s Illness Highlights Thin Senate Majority (The New York Times 12/14)
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Johnson hospitalized; condition unclear (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 12/14)
Johnson undergoes surgery (The Rapid City Journal 12/14)