GOP candidate who beat Sanford seriously injured in car accident

GOP candidate Katie Arrington, who defeated incumbent Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) in her district’s primary last week, was seriously injured in a two-car accident on Friday night.

Arrington’s campaign consultant Michael Mule told The Post and Courier this morning that the candidate is out of surgery and recovering. She will undergo another surgery today and her hospital stay is expected to last two weeks, according to the paper.  

Arrington was reportedly on her way to Hilton Head, S.C., where she was scheduled to receive an award from a state medical organization, when her vehicle was struck by another car driving in the wrong lane. The driver in the other car was killed, according to the report.

{mosads}Arrington reportedly sustained injuries to her back, broke several ribs and will have to undergo major surgery that includes the removal of a portion of her small intestine.

Arrington’s Democratic opponent in the general election, Joe Cunningham, said his campaign is suspending all activities until further notice in light of the accident.

“Just hearing about the terrible accident that occurred overnight involving Katie Arrington,” he tweeted early Saturday morning. “Amanda and I are lifting her and her family up in prayer right now. Please join us.”

We are suspending all campaign activities until further notice. https://t.co/yigZupPoLz

— Joe Cunningham (@JoeCunninghamSC) June 23, 2018

“As we all know, Katie Arrington is an extremely strong woman and has tremendous faith and an incredibly supportive family,” her campaign tweeted. “And it is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon.”

And it is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon.

— Rep. Katie Arrington (@karringtonsc) June 23, 2018

President Trump and Sanford both separately tweeted Saturday that their “thoughts and prayers” are with Arrington during her recovery.

My thoughts and prayers are with Representative Katie Arrington of South Carolina, including all of those involved in last nights car accident, and their families. https://t.co/rWYt2VBjxc

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers this morning go to Katie Arrington, her family and those involved in last night’s automobile accident. https://t.co/sV4E90CIj8

— Mark Sanford (@RepSanfordSC) June 23, 2018

Trump tweeted his support for Arrington two weeks ago, a move he said boosted her over her primary opponent and vocal Trump critic Sanford. Arrington, who is a pro-Trump South Carolina state representative, took just over half the GOP primary vote in a surprising upset. Sanford was the second House member to lose a primary in 2018, following Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.)

My political representatives didn’t want me to get involved in the Mark Sanford primary thinking that Sanford would easily win – but with a few hours left I felt that Katie was such a good candidate, and Sanford was so bad, I had to give it a shot. Congrats to Katie Arrington!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2018 

The Hill reached out to Arrington’s campaign for comment.

-Updated 12:07 p.m.