Bernie's Back! Democratic Candidate to Attend Debate Despite Health Problems

Audrey Conklin

Politics, Americas

He's 78 and still kicking!

2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders will be on the next debate stage despite his recent hospitalization, according to a campaign spokesperson.

The Vermont senator, 78, will be joining the Oct. 15 Democratic primary debate stage in Westerville, Ohio, campaign spokesman Joe Calvello told the Los Angeles Times Thursday. Sanders will share the stage with with 11 other candidates.

“We expect Bernie will be discharged and on a plane back to Burlington before the end of the weekend. He’ll take a few days to rest, but he’s ready to get back out there and is looking forward to the October debate,” Sanders’ wife, Jane, said.

Sanders campaign: We expect Bernie will be discharged and on a plane back to Burlington before the end of the weekend. He’ll take a few days to rest, but he’s ready to get back out there and is looking forward to the October debate.

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 3, 2019

Jane Sanders also said the candidate “spent much of [Wednesday] talking with staff about policies, cracking jokes with the nurses and doctors, and speaking with his family on the phone … there has been no need for any additional procedures.”

The announcement regarding the debate comes just a day after Sanders’ senior adviser, Jeff Weaver, said in a Wednesday statement that the Vermont senator canceled upcoming “events and appearances until further notice” after being hospitalized for a blocked artery.