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Published October 12, 2022 at 3:56 p.m. | Updated October 25, 2022 at 8:27 p.m.
Vermont Sen. Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) suffered a mild stroke on Sunday and is being treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center, according to a statement from his family.
The medical setback comes as the 79-year-old veteran legislator is running for reelection. He faces a stiff challenge from Republican candidate John Klar.
“Mark is in good spirits as he tackles this unexpected challenge,” his family wrote in a statement. “He and his family expect a speedy recovery. “
The Williamstown farmer has served in both the Vermont House and the Senate, where has represented Orange County since 2003. He is a Vietnam veteran, retired teacher and beef cattle rancher.
The Vermont Democratic Party wishes MacDonald a speedy recovery, 
The party has made retaining MacDonald’s seat in the Senate a priority because of concerns about Klar’s political views, Dandeneau said. The makeup of the district also shifted slightly during this year's redistricting process, as it lost "deep blue" Thetford and added Bradford, Dandeneau said.
The medical setback comes as the 79-year-old veteran legislator is running for reelection. He faces a stiff challenge from Republican candidate John Klar.
“Mark is in good spirits as he tackles this unexpected challenge,” his family wrote in a statement. “He and his family expect a speedy recovery. “
The Williamstown farmer has served in both the Vermont House and the Senate, where has represented Orange County since 2003. He is a Vietnam veteran, retired teacher and beef cattle rancher.
The Vermont Democratic Party wishes MacDonald a speedy recovery,
executive director Jim Dandeneau said.
Related Redrawing the Map: How Redistricting Will Affect Your Vote in 2022
Redrawing the Map: How Redistricting Will Affect Your Vote in 2022
Every 10 years, Vermont redraws its state House and Senate districts based on population data from the U.S. Census and 2022 is one of those once-in-a-decade years. Starting with this summer's primary election, some voters will see changes to their ballots.
Primary Voter Guide
“We were already worried about the seat, and keeping it was already a priority for us,” Dandeneau said. “This just underscores the urgency of that.”
Klar, a Brookfield farmer and attorney, ran for governor in 2020 and lost in the primary to Gov. Phil Scott. He is running on a platform of shrinking government, rejecting renewable energy and reforming the public pension system.
MacDonald's daughter Janet MacDonald Kaempf has flown in from California to help her father recover, Dandeneau said. She is a registered nurse.
Klar, a Brookfield farmer and attorney, ran for governor in 2020 and lost in the primary to Gov. Phil Scott. He is running on a platform of shrinking government, rejecting renewable energy and reforming the public pension system.
MacDonald's daughter Janet MacDonald Kaempf has flown in from California to help her father recover, Dandeneau said. She is a registered nurse.
"Mark's trademark riddles and one-liners are keeping his nurses in stitches," MacDonald Kaempf said in the statement.
MacDonald will undergo physical therapy and resume his campaign when he hits certain recovery milestones, the statement said.
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About The Author
Kevin McCallum
Bio:
Kevin McCallum is a political reporter at Seven Days, covering the Statehouse and state government. He previously was a reporter at The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Kevin McCallum is a political reporter at Seven Days, covering the Statehouse and state government. He previously was a reporter at The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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MacDonald Defeats Klar to Keep Orange Senate Seat
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