Murphy's chief of staff, Allison Herwitt, said the senator was initially taken to a local hospital, where doctors established that he had suffered a stroke. He was subsequently transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, for further monitoring and medical treatment.
In the statement, Herwitt said doctors were encouraged by Murphy's progress, adding that he was awake, alert and responding well to treatment. She also expressed confidence that he would make a full recovery, although the senator's office did not provide detailed information about the type or severity of the stroke.
Murphy has represented Connecticut in the United States Senate since 2013, after previously serving in the House of Representatives. He is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and has been involved in major national discussions on immigration, healthcare, gun safety and United States foreign policy.
News of his hospitalisation attracted reactions from lawmakers across the political divide. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who also suffered a stroke in 2022, expressed support for Murphy and his family, wishing him a full and speedy recovery. Other members of Congress also sent messages of encouragement.
President Donald Trump also reacted to the news, saying he was surprised to hear that Murphy had suffered a stroke. Trump told reporters that he would consider reaching out to the senator, adding that nobody wanted to hear about such an incident.
Murphy's hospitalisation comes just days before the United States midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, 3 November 2026. He had recently been travelling across the country to support Democratic candidates in competitive election campaigns. His office has not announced when he is expected to leave the hospital or resume his public duties.
