Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton Collapses During State Of The State Speech

SAINT PAUL, MN — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed Monday night in the middle of his State of the State speech. After being attended to by medical personnel, Dayton reportedly walked out of the Capitol under his own power and is "doing great," his son, Eric, said on Twitter.

About 45 minutes into his annual address, the governor began slurring his words slightly before slumping over his podium. "Get him to the ground!" someone yelled, as officials in the room rushed to his side.

Audible gasps from lawmakers in the chamber could be heard.

Dayton, 69, was attended to by medical personnel and reportedly rose to his feet a couple of minutes later. He walked to a back room under his own power to applause from the chamber, according to reports.

KSTP's Tom Hauser reported that two doctors serve in the state senate and were able to assist medical personnel.

The joint session abruptly adjourned as stunned lawmakers reportedly debated what to do next.

"I'm with my dad now and he's doing great," Dayton's son, Eric, said in a Twitter post about 30 minutes after his father's collapse. "Thank you all for your kind well-wishes and words of concern."

Mark Dayton and his grandson, Hugo, were doing a puzzle, Eric said:

"Tonight, Governor Dayton briefly fainted after speaking for about 40 minutes," a statement from Dayton's chief of staff Jaime Tichner released Monday night said. "He quickly recovered, walked out of the Capitol, and returned home. EMTs joined the Governor there, and performed a routine check. He is now spending time with his son and grandson."

Dayton will present his 2017 budget Tuesday, Tichner said.

"Governor Dayton and his entire staff thank the people of Minnesota for their outpouring of support and concern," Tichner said.

Dayton, who will turn 70 in three days, has served as Minnesota's governor since 2011. Nearly a year ago, he fainted at a fundraiser in Woodbury.

Dayton was previously a U.S. senator from 2001 to 2007 and Minnesota state auditor from 1991 to 1995.