Minnesota governor collapses during 2017 State of the State address
ST. PAUL, MN (KTRK) -- A health scare involving Minnesota's governor had lawmakers in a state of shock in St. Paul on Monday night.
In the midst of his 2017 State of the State address, Gov. Mark Dayton became shaky, grabbing for a bottle of water before he began slurring his speech.
RAW VIDEO: Dayton collapses in Minnesota Legislature
Moments later, the 69-year-old Dayton collapsed, sending aides and other lawmakers running to assist him.
The governor was taken unconscious into a back room, where he was given medical assistance.
He was able to recover, and then walked out of the capitol building on his own before returning home.
Dayton's son says the Democratic chief executive is doing alright, but did not elaborate on why his father collapsed.
Dayton was about 40 minutes into his speech before a joint session of the Minnesota legislature when he became ill.
Lawmakers were quick to offer their thoughts and well wishes to the governor.
"He's a tough old bird," lawmaker Melissa Hortman said. "As everybody in Minnesota knows, a former goalie...so he's suffered hits before and bounded back."
Paul Gazelka said the focus of the legislature now is on the governor's recovery.
