Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) is recovering at home after suffering a serious fall over the weekend that resulted in a seizure, a brain bleed and a concussion. The 64-year-old lawmaker shared details of the incident on social media, explaining that he slipped on ice while walking down a hill to a dock, striking the back of his head.
Cramer said he has no memory of the fall but was later diagnosed with a brain bleed and a seizure after seeking medical attention. Doctors treated a head laceration with staples and admitted him for observation. He reported experiencing severe headaches but noted that his condition is improving.
Medical Outlook and Senate Absence
While the senator has not provided a specific timeline for returning to Washington, USA Today reported that doctors have advised him to rest. His absence will leave the Senate Republican majority at 52 seats, still sufficient for the GOP to confirm nominees and pass the budget resolution needed to implement President Trump’s extensive domestic agenda, as long as they remain united:
“I do not remember anything from the fall until arriving at Sanford Health emergency room” with his wife Kris, Cramer wrote.
“After seeing the emergency doctor, taking some tests, including a CT Scan, and seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with a severe concussion, a seizure, and a slight brain bleed,” he added. “The wound on my head wouldn’t stop oozing, so the doctor punched a couple of staples on the laceration and admitted me.”
“It will be day to day this week, but I am ready to return quickly if events require it,” he said.
Cramer was first elected to the Senate in 2018 and won reelection in 2024. Before that, he represented North Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is not the first time he has faced a significant injury—Politico noted that he suffered a serious hand injury in 2022, briefly keeping him away from the Capitol.
Cramer’s Personal Struggles: Son Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison
The senator’s health scare comes just weeks after his son, Ian Cramer, was sentenced to 28 years in prison following a fatal police chase. On Dec. 30, Ian, 43, was convicted of multiple charges, including homicide while fleeing law enforcement, after crashing his family’s SUV into a police cruiser, killing Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin.
Martin, 53, was outside his vehicle deploying a tire deflation device when he was struck and killed. The deadly pursuit, which lasted nearly an hour, ended in a violent collision.
During his sentencing, Ian Cramer apologized to the deputy’s family and stated he had no intention of causing harm. He also said he believed seeking mental health treatment in a hospital would be the best outcome. Last year, Sen. Cramer acknowledged his son’s struggles with severe mental health issues, including paranoia and hallucinations.
A North Dakota judge sentenced Ian Cramer to 38 years in prison, with 10 years suspended, three years of probation, and credit for time served in jail, according to The Hill.
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