The Connecticut Democrat was transferred to Johns Hopkins after developing arm numbness during his son’s hockey game.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut remained hospitalized at Johns Hopkins after suffering a stroke over the weekend, with his office saying Monday that the 53-year-old Democrat continued to respond well to treatment.
Murphy began experiencing numbness in his arm Saturday afternoon while attending his son’s hockey game, according to his chief of staff, Allison Herwitt. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined that he had suffered a stroke. He was then transferred to Johns Hopkins for further monitoring. His office said Sunday that he was awake and alert and that doctors were encouraged by his progress.
Murphy’s office provided another update Monday, saying he continued to respond well to treatment but offering no new details about his condition. Officials have not publicly disclosed the type or severity of the stroke, the treatment he received or when he may be released from the hospital. No timetable has been announced for his return to Senate duties.
The medical emergency came days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, after Murphy had spent recent weeks traveling to support Democratic candidates around the country. He had been scheduled to campaign Sunday in New Hampshire with Democratic candidates there, but the appearance did not go forward following his hospitalization. Murphy is not on the ballot this year.
Murphy was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 and took office in 2013 after serving six years in the House. He won reelection to a third Senate term in 2024. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and has developed a national profile through his work on gun policy, immigration and foreign affairs.
The Connecticut senator has also been frequently mentioned as a possible contender for higher office. Recent national reporting has identified him as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, although Murphy has not announced a presidential campaign. His immediate political schedule remains uncertain while he receives medical care.
Connecticut officials and Murphy’s colleagues in Congress offered messages of support after his hospitalization became public. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut’s other U.S. senator, expressed confidence that Murphy would recover and return to the Senate. Gov. Ned Lamont also offered support to Murphy and his family, noting that he had appeared with the senator at a Connecticut campaign event shortly before the stroke.
Murphy is among several prominent senators who have experienced strokes in recent years. Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland were hospitalized after strokes in 2022 and later returned to their Senate duties. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman suffered a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign and subsequently took office after winning the election.
Murphy’s staff has said it is optimistic that he will make a full recovery. As of the latest public update, he remained under care at Johns Hopkins and continued responding well to treatment, while his office had not announced a discharge date or provided further medical details.
Author note: Last updated November 3, 2026.