Logan Republican Rep. Dan Johnson was wheeled off the Utah House of Representatives floor in his chair on Monday afternoon and is currently receiving medical attention, officials said.
House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, had just gaveled the body to order for their afternoon floor session when a commotion broke out around Johnson’s desk. Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, who is a physician, quickly ran to Johnson’s side as Schultz paused the proceedings. Several lawmakers wheeled Johnson into the House lounge on the West side of the Capitol, still in his chair. Johnson remained upright in his chair, but his eyes were closed.
House majority spokesperson Alexa Musselman said Johnson was given medical attention as a precaution because of the incident.
“This afternoon, Rep. Dan Johnson experienced a medical episode and is now receiving treatment. We appreciate the swift response by Utah Highway Patrol and emergency responders. Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with Rep. Johnson,” Musselman said in a text message.
According to eyewitnesses, Johnson was conscious and sitting up on a gurney as paramedics wheeled him into an elevator at the Capitol before putting him in an ambulance.
After Johnson was taken from the floor, House members were pulled into an impromptu meeting in the majority caucus room. A lawmaker told The Salt Lake Tribune that they were told the Logan Republican had experienced symptoms suggesting he had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) but that he was conscious and speaking.
In January, Johnson collapsed and was rushed to the hospital just before recording a radio interview in Logan, according to the Cache Valley Daily. The Herald-Journal News reported that Johnson would be 77 years old at the end of the session.
Johnson, a career educator, was first elected in 2018 and announced earlier this year he would not seek another term in the Legislature.
This story is breaking and may be updated.
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