'Won't be very long' before Branstad resumes campaign

“It won't be very long at all” before Gov. Terry Branstad will be back on the campaign trail following treatment of a partially blocked artery in his heart.

The former governor was released from the hospital May 6 and his campaign spokesman Tim Albrecht predicted he'll be back on the campaign trail soon.

Branstad, who is seeking the GOP nomination for a fifth term, underwent an elective medical procedure to treat a partially blocked artery in his heart Wednesday at a Des Moines hospital, Albrecht said.

Branstad, 63, did not have a heart attack, according to his doctor. A stress test during the former governor's regularly scheduled cardiology appointment suggested a need for further evaluation. He predicted Branstad will make a full recovery. Campaign manager Jeff Boeyink said Branstad would resume full campaign activities within a few days.

The blocked artery was discovered during a scheduled angiogram Wednesday and the blockage was treated with the placement of a stent, said Branstad campaign manager Jeff Boeyink.

Branstad currently is locked in a competitive three-way race for the GOP nomination heading into the June 8 primary election with rivals Bob Vander Plaats, a Sioux City businessman, and state Rep. Rod Roberts, a five-term lawmaker from Carroll.