Democratic US Senator Chris Murphy has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

Murphy, 53, started feeling numbness in his arm while attending a his son’s hockey game on Saturday, according to the Connecticut senator’s chief of staff, Allison Herwitt. A hospital visit confirmed that Murphy had experienced a stroke.

He has since been transferred to Johns Hopkins for monitoring and is so far responding well to treatment, Herwitt wrote in a statement.

“The doctors are encouraged by his progress, he is awake and alert, and we are optimistic he will make a full recovery,” Herwitt’s statement said.

First elected to Congress in 2006, Murphy has become a towering figure in the US Senate, where he has distinguished himself one of the most prominent voices for gun reform since the Sandy Hook school shooting in 20212. Some observers view him as a possible presidential candidate in 2028, citing his outspoken opposition to Donald Trump.

Asked during a 2025 Guardian interview if he would consider a White House bid in 2028, Murphy said: “My voice is meaningful because I don’t have any other agenda beyond just trying to save democracy. Anybody thinking about an election in 2028 or 2026 would be foolish. We are not right now on a glide path to have a free and fair election in 2028, so all of us better put all of our energy into trying to save the democracy.”

Murphy had spent recent weeks campaigning for the midterms, traveling to bolster candidates in competitive races in states including Michigan and Florida.

“I was with Senator Murphy on Friday evening, where he was energetically encouraging voters to participate in the upcoming election,” Connecticut Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz said in a statement. I am glad to hear that he is doing well, and I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to support the people of Connecticut.”

David Smith contributed reporting.