Branstad collapses at public event

DES MOINES — Gov. Terry Branstad was to spend Monday night in a Des Moines hospital after falling ill during a speaking engagement earlier in the day.

Doctors think Branstad suffered from a viral illness and dehydration and ruled out any heart issues, the governor's office reported Monday night.

Branstad was treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center after suffering a 'spell' Monday morning.

'After personally reviewing the governor's medical records, with his permission, and visiting with him and his attending physicians, we believe the governor has a viral illness with dehydration,' Mark Purtle, chief medical officer of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, said in a statement. 'We also conducted a series of tests in which we ruled out other contributing factors, including cardiac issues.'

Branstad received intravenous fluids and was alert and resting comfortably at the hospital, Centers said. He said the 68-year-old Branstad was held overnight out of 'an abundance of caution.'

'He's resting comfortably. He's doing fine,' Centers said.

Branstad's public appearances for the remainder of Monday and all of Tuesday were canceled so the governor could recuperate, Centers said.

Branstad was speaking at DuPont Pioneer in Johnston on Monday morning when he became ill and was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Branstad began losing his place during his remarks and then started losing his balance, said Sen. Brad Zaun, who attended the event.

Zaun, R-Urbandale, said Branstad asked for a chair, but a nurse suggested Branstad lay down.

'You could tell he was struggling,' Zaun said. 'I stayed with him and rubbed his hand.'

Centers said that while Branstad was being transported, paramedics took the governor's vitals and determined 'the spell was caused by a seasonal illness.'

Zaun said Branstad's wife, Chris, said the governor should not have been working Monday because he had been feeling ill.

Branstad coughed frequently and spoke softly throughout his Monday morning news conference. Branstad told reporters he has been battling a cold.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds also has been feeling ill, Centers said, and her public appearances Tuesday have been canceled as well. Centers said Reynolds will take the precautionary measure of seeing her physician Tuesday.

Branstad was elected in November to his sixth term as governor. He had surgery in December to repair varicose veins and has had heart issues in the past. He had a heart attack and a stent placed in his heart in 2000, and he had elective heart surgery in 2010 to treat a partially blocked artery.

In an interview just before the legislative session, Branstad, who keeps a rigorous schedule and travels the state extensively, said he felt good about his health.

'I have a pretty regular exercise routine. … I intend to continue to stay active and obviously fulfill the commitment we made to going to every county every year,' Branstad said.

Well wishes for the governor poured in Monday as news of his illness spread.

The Iowa Senate started its day with a moment of silence for the governor.

Iowa's U.S. senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both tweeted about Branstad. Grassley wished Branstad a quick recovery and instructed him to do what his wife instructs him to do; Ernst said her thoughts and prayers were with the governor.

Potential Republican presidential candidates Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Scott Walker also tweeted their best wishes to Branstad.

(James Q. Lynch contributed to this report.)