Beto O'Rourke puts Texas gubernatorial campaign on hold due to illness

EL PASO, Texas - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke’s campaign announced Sunday that he has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection.

“After feeling ill on Friday, I went to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio where I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection,” O’Rourke said in a news release. “The extraordinary team there — from custodians to nurses and doctors — gave me excellent care and attention, including IV antibiotics and rest.

“While my symptoms have improved, I will be resting at home in El Paso in accordance with the doctors’ recommendations,” he said. “I am sorry to have had to postpone events because of this, but promise to be back on the road as soon as I am able. I cannot thank the amazing women and men at Methodist enough for the treatment I received.”

On Friday, O'Rourke left a book signing in San Antonio early due to illness.

He also postponed rallies and fundraisers planned over the weekend in San Antonio and Corpus Christi.

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The former U.S. representative from El Paso is seeking to unseat Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking his third four-year term.

“Unfortunately, Beto was not feeling well this afternoon and will be taking some time to rest up at home this weekend before returning to the campaign trail,” Chris Evans, a spokesman for the campaign, said in a text message to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on Friday.

Evans said the campaign would get Corpus Christi back on the calendar as soon as possible.

“We apologize for this change and appreciate the community’s understanding,” he wrote.

The illness struck as O'Rourke was in the midst of a monthslong Drive for Texas campaign tour across the Lone Star State.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Beto O'Rourke pauses Texas gubernatorial campaign over illness