New Jersey GOP Senate candidate appears to experience medical issue during debate
Most polling data suggests that Republican real estate developer Curtis Bashaw faces an uphill climb in his New Jersey Senate campaign against Democratic Rep. Andy Kim.
However, observers briefly feared this past weekend that Bashaw could be facing bigger problems in the form of a medical crisis.
Video shows candidate freeze up on stage
According to the New York Post, Bashaw at one point froze up and nearly fell over during a debate with Kim on Sunday evening.
Viral video footage shows that the 63-year-old businessman was speaking about the issue of affordability when he began to struggle.
Republican New Jersey Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw freezes up during debate in what is being called a “medical episode”. He is initially assisted by his Democratic opponent Andy Kim. Bashaw later recovered. pic.twitter.com/42ivDw4Ujf
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 7, 2024
The Post noted how Bashaw could be seen abruptly stopping before he began to moan slightly and then lean far over the podium as he gripped it with his hands.
Kim took Bashaw's hand and inquired about his well-being
As Bashaw's ordeal played out, someone called out his name and the politician turned his head but was apparently unable to say anything.
Rep. Kim then took his opponent's hand and asked if he was alright. Bashaw responded that he was but continued to stare forward in a disconnected manner.
This was in turn followed by the debate moderating stating, "I think maybe we need to take a commercial break to address some issues here on the stage."
"I never stopped to get a bite to eat"
"I got so worked up about this affordability issue that I realized I hadn’t eaten so much food today. So I appreciate your indulgence," the Post quoted him as saying.
The candidate later put out a social media post following the debate in which he expressed appreciation to those who are concerned about his well-being.
"Thank you all for the well wishes!" the businessman wrote. "I was out campaigning all day, and I never stopped to get a bite to eat. Excited to eat pizza with my fantastic volunteers at the post-debate party tonight!"
The New Jersey Globe reported in August that a poll carried out by National Research found Bashaw trailing Kim by five points with 22% of voters being undecided.
