NJ Congressman Released From Hospital; Lengthy Recovery Period Expected

CAMDEN, NJ — Rep. Donald Norcross was released from the hospital Thursday after suffering a life-threatening gallbladder infection last month. But he faces a potentially lengthy recovery period as he works to fully return to his congressional duties.

Norcross (D-NJ), whose district includes a portion of South Jersey, suffered the medical emergency while traveling down south in early April. He was admitted to a North Carolina hospital and transferred to Cooper University Hospital in Camden the next day.

The congressman's infection progressed to sepsis, which is life-threatening. But Cooper staff successfully removed Norcross's infected gallstone, and his office has repeatedly said he's expected to make a full recovery.

Now that he's out of the hospital, Norcross has begun his rehabilitation, which could take an extensive period of time.

"As previously announced, he had a serious illness and will need an extended recovery that could take some weeks," a spokesperson for Norcross told Patch.

Norcross, 66, represents New Jersey's 1st congressional district, which includes all of Camden County and portions of Burlington and Gloucester counties.

He has been in regular contact with his staff and continues to monitor developments in his district and the nation's capital, according to his office. His offices in South Jersey and Washington, D.C. remain open to serve constituents.

"The Congressman is making remarkable and steady progress and is well on his way to making a full recovery," his office said in a statement. "The Congressman thanks the entire Cooper team for the excellent care he received, especially the doctors and nurses who saved his life."

But it's uncertain when Norcross will be cleared to return to Washington. The Democratic lawmaker's absence expands Republicans' narrow majority in the House of Representatives, since members of Congress must be physically present in the U.S. Capitol to vote on their constituents' behalf.

Norcross has represented New Jersey's 1st district since 2014 and was re-elected to a two-year term in November. Months before suffering the medical emergency, he filed to run for re-election in 2026.