Friday morning update: Rep. David Guttenberg stayed at the hospital overnight for monitoring and will be released today. He’s expected to return to work at the Legislature next week.
Rep. David Guttenberg was hospitalized today after suffering from an unknown medical emergency in the capitol, but a spokesman for the House Majority Coalition said the Fairbanks Democrat was “good spirits” and joking around when he left the capitol.
Guttenberg had been participating in the House Finance Committee’s fourth day of operating budget amendments when he stepped away from the committee room and returned to his office, where his condition reportedly got worse. Social media reports suggest he was suffering from chest pain when paramedics were called to his office.
Coalition spokesman Mike Mason had this update:
“Rep. Guttenberg had some sort of unknown medical emergency,” he said. “Paramedics were called and he was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital. He was conscious, lucid, in good spirits and was joking when he left the capitol.”
Guttenberg, 66, is a well-liked legislator from the Interior, making frequent appearances as Uncle Sam at the Ester Community Parade where he once handed out faux $1 million bills featuring former Gov. Sean Parnell’s picture. He is the brother-in-law to former Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins.
Guttenberg’s chief of staff said at 3:30 p.m. that he is now sleeping, and up until 15 minutes before had been talking about pending legislation. #akleg
— James Brooks (@AK_OK) March 9, 2018
This is a developing story and will be updated when new information is available.
Well wishes
Say a prayer for our friend and colleague Rep @DavidGuttenberg He was taken to the hospital with chest pains. #akleg
— Rep Jason Grenn (@RepJasonGrenn) March 8, 2018
Praying for Rep. @DavidGuttenberg and wishing him a speedy recovery. -BW https://t.co/usckIebYEe
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) March 8, 2018
Toni and I wish Representative @DavidGuttenberg a quick recovery.
— Lt. Gov. Mallott (@LtGovMallott) March 9, 2018
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