The Lead

Former Pa. Gov. Ridge discharged from hospital, recovering from stroke

By: - June 28, 2021 10:50 am

Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge (WikiMedia Commons

Former Gov. Tom Ridge has been discharged from a nearly two-week-long hospitalization due to a stroke.

Ridge, who also served as the nation’s first homeland security director under former President George W. Bush, was released from a Washington D.C. hospital on Sunday and immediately transferred to a rehabilitation facility, his family announced Monday morning. 

The 75-year-old former governor suffered a stroke earlier this month and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot.

“Tom wants everyone to know how much he appreciates all those who have reached out to offer their prayers, words of encouragement, and love,” Michele Ridge, the former Pennsylvania first lady, said in a statement. “It means so much to all of us.

She added: “We are grateful for all of the wonderful healthcare professionals who have and will continue to help us along his path to recovery.”

Ridge, a Republican, was born outside of Pittsburgh. He is a Vietnam War veteran and served as an assistant district attorney in Erie before launching a campaign for the House of Representatives in 1982. He represented northwestern Pennsylvania for six terms before becoming governor. He served from 1995 until his resignation in 2001. 

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