Katie Arrington, who ousted incumbent South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford in a Republican congressional primary this month, was seriously injured in a car accident on Friday -- in a wreck that left one person dead.

In a statement posted to Facebook, her campaign said that she underwent surgery after she was injured when a driver traveling in the wrong direction hit her vehicle. A friend who was also in the car was seriously injured.


The Post and Courier reported that the driver in the other vehicle died at the scene.
Her office said that she suffered a fracture in her back, several broken ribs and other injuries that required surgery including the removal of part of her small intestine and a portion of her colon.

“Additionally, the main artery in her legs has a partial collapse and will require a stent,” the statement said. “Additional surgeries will be required including one likely today; and it is likely that Katie will remain hospitalized for the next two weeks.”

“As her family asked last night, Katie asks for your continued prayers for the deceased and the deceased's family, as well as prayers for a quick recovery for Katie and her friend.”

Arrington's Democratic rival, Joe Cunningham, said that he was suspending his campaign until futher notice. President Trump tweeted that he was sending his thoughts and prayers to all those involved in the accident and their families.


Arrington’s shock primary win over Sanford made national headlines as a rebuke of Sanford’s “Never Trump”-style rhetoric and his career bedeviled by scandal.



Arrington, a state representative and a relative political newcomer, secured Trump’s support hours before the primary ballot. She had been vocal in her backing of Trump and had used Sanford’s criticism of the president as a cornerstone of her campaign.

"I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love," tweeted Trump ahead of the primary. "She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!"


“It was amazing. It definitely kept us from a run-off,” Arrington said on “Fox & Friends” about the president’s intervention.

Trump would reportedly go on to mock Sanford at a meeting with House Republicans: "I want to congratulate Mark on a great race.”

Link

Sounds like quite the accident. Best wishes for her recovery.

Dang. That sounds horrible. I hope she is able to recover.

In a classy move (at least appears as such), her opponent is suspending campaign activities.

GOP Candidate seriously injured in car accident.

quote:

GOP candidate Katie Arrington, who defeated incumbent Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) in her district’s primary last week, was seriously injured in a two-car accident on Friday night.

Arrington’s campaign consultant Michael Mule told The Post and Courier this morning that the candidate is out of surgery and recovering. She will undergo another surgery today and her hospital stay is expected to last two weeks, according to the paper.

Arrington was reportedly on her way to Hilton Head, S.C., where she was scheduled to receive an award from a state medical organization, when her vehicle was struck by another car driving in the wrong lane. The driver in the other car was killed, according to the report.


Arrington reportedly sustained injuries to her back, broke several ribs and will have to undergo major surgery that includes the removal of a portion of her small intestine.
Arrington's Democratic opponent in the general election, Joe Cunningham, said his campaign is suspending all activities until further notice in light of the accident.

"Just hearing about the terrible accident that occurred overnight involving Katie Arrington," he tweeted early Saturday morning. "Amanda and I are lifting her and her family up in prayer right now. Please join us."

We are suspending all campaign activities until further notice. https://t.co/yigZupPoLz

— Joe Cunningham (@JoeCunninghamSC) June 23, 2018
“As we all know, Katie Arrington is an extremely strong woman and has tremendous faith and an incredibly supportive family,” her campaign tweeted. “And it is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon.”

Yeah, classy move, and win-win. He'll save time, $ and look good doing it.

I hope she recovers well, and soon, and wins.