Va. Politician Falls, Breaks Rib While Campaigning

A Virginia politician who serves in the state's House of Delegates fell and broke a rib while campaigning for a seat in Congress.

The Washington Post reports State Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, was injured Sunday when he fell down some stairs while campaigning in Fairfax County. Hope, 42, is one of seven Democrats competing to win the June 10 primary in a bid to succeed U.S. Rep. James Moran as the representative of Virginia's 8th Congressional District.

Campaign aide Benjamin Tribbett says Hope knocked on two more doors after he fell before agreeing to go to a hospital. Tribbett says Hope's injuries will force him to abandon an effort to visit every precinct in the congressional district, which covers Alexandria, Falls Church, Arlington County and part of Fairfax County.

Hope issued a statement on Sunday, saying, "I'd like to thank everyone who has called me with concern since the news of my fall broke this afternoon. I am resting comfortably at home in Arlington now."

"I've knocked on 13,000 doors in the last five years, and dealt with a few misjudged stairs, a dog bite and a couple of ankle sprains and never missed a beat. A rib break will cause me to miss some time on the campaign trail however."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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