Minn. governor collapses during speech

Democrat Mark Dayton recovered quickly, aide says.

ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed while delivering his State of the State speech Monday, striking his head on a lectern. The 69-year-old Democrat appeared to be conscious as he was helped into a back room several minutes later, and a top staffer said he walked out of the Capitol on his own and was spending time with his son and grandson after a routine check by emergency medical technicians at his home.

Day t o n’s c hi e f o f s t a f f Jaime Tincher said Dayton quickly recovered after fainting roughly 40 minutes into his annual address. She said he planned to keep his plans of releasing a detailed budget proposal this morning.

Dayton’s son Eric, who was watching the speech from the House gallery, tweeted that his father was with him and he was “doing great.” Eric Dayton also tweeted that the governor was doing “a very advanced puzzle” with his grandson Hugo, “so that has to be a good sign!”

Nearing his 70th birthday Thursday, Dayton has a history of health problems.

Dayton was hospitalized in February 2016 after he fainted at a hot and crowded event. His office said at the time that he had been feeling pressure in his lower back — he had undergone elective back surgery the previous December — before he lost consciousness. Dayton spent just a day in the hospital, and said he had been treated for dehydration.