Dramatic video footage showed the alarming moment Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann collapsed while speaking on the state Senate chamber floor.
The 77-year-old Republican was seen at the podium during a live stream of the proceedings Wednesday as lawmakers took on the final appropriation bills for the day. Hosemann was seen in the video – later deleted from the Legislature’s YouTube channel – as he began to slump forward, then sideways before collapsing to the ground. His colleagues rushed to his aid, calling for a nurse and requesting a call to 911.
“A source told WJTV 12 News that Hosemann was able to stand up and was conscious as emergency responders rushed to his aid. We’re told he declined to be taken to a hospital,” the outlet reported.
(Video Credit: 16 WAPT News Jackson)
“Thank you all for the kind words and prayers,” Hosemann wrote in a post on X Wednesday night.
“I was dehydrated and am feeling fine now. I am grateful for Mississippi’s phenomenal medical professionals and am ready to go back to work tomorrow. Lesson learned: Stay hydrated,” added the lieutenant governor who was elected in November to his second term.
Thank you all for the kind words and prayers. I was dehydrated and am feeling fine now. I am grateful for Mississippi’s phenomenal medical professionals and am ready to go back to work tomorrow. Lesson learned: Stay hydrated.
— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) February 19, 2025
“Medical staff tended to him as he appeared to be conscious and was sitting upright shortly after he fell. Later, Hosemann was seen walking out of the Capitol flanked by staff and security and he got in a government vehicle, not one of two AMR ambulances that had been stationed outside,” Mississippi Today reported.
“Senate staff had quickly cleared the chamber of people other than Senators after he fell. The Senate remained in recess until 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby presided over the chamber when it returned for the afternoon and met briefly, but no update on Hosemann was given from the well,” the outlet added.
“Everything’s fine. I think he wanted to come back this afternoon, but I’ll bet he’s back in the morning,” Kirby reportedly said as the Senate adjourned.
This is what Hosemann’s office shared shortly after he exited the building. We did watch him walk out on his own to the car. pic.twitter.com/Awq2N6f70E
— Courtney Ann Jackson (@courtneyannj) February 19, 2025
“Lieutenant Governor Hosemann is doing well and in good spirits. He appreciates all of the medical staff and is eager to return to work,” a spokesperson for Hosemann said in a statement earlier.
State lawmakers and Governor Tate Reeves (R-MS) expressed their wishes for Hosemann’s recovery in various messages on X.
The governor posted, “@firstladyofms and I are praying for Lieutenant Governor Hosemann!”
.@firstladyofms and I are praying for Lieutenant Governor Hosemann!
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 19, 2025
I’m praying for my dear friend, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) February 19, 2025
Please pray for my friend, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann of Mississippi, who collapsed on the Senate floor earlier today.
We are happy to hear he is feeling better and ready to return to work tomorrow!
— Lt. Governor of Virginia – Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) February 19, 2025
Prayers for Lieutenant Governor Hosemann.
— Mississippi GOP (@MSGOP) February 19, 2025
“I appreciate all of the calls and text messages concerning Lt Governor Hosemann,” Senate Finance Chairman Josh Harkins posted. “As he walked out of the Capitol a little while ago, he looked at us and said, ‘Hey, that last bill was awful!’ He is doing well, and if I know him he will be trying to come back to the Capitol today.”
I appreciate all of the calls and text messages concerning Lt Governor Hosemann. As he walked out of the Capitol a little while ago, he looked at us and said, “Hey, that last bill was awful!”
He is doing well and if I know him he will be trying to come back to the Capitol today.
— Senator Josh Harkins (@SenatorHarkins) February 19, 2025
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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