Texas Gov Severely Burned In Accident, Could Miss GOP Convention

FILE - In this Friday, July 8, 2016 file photo, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, responds to questions about the police shootings during a news conference at City Hall in Dallas. Spokesman Matt Hirsch said Sunday that ... FILE - In this Friday, July 8, 2016 file photo, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, responds to questions about the police shootings during a news conference at City Hall in Dallas. Spokesman Matt Hirsch said Sunday that Abbott was in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Thursday when he was scalded in an accident involving hot water. He sustained "extensive second- and third-degree burns" on both legs below the knees and on both feet and could miss next week's Republican National Convention. Abbott held the press conference in Dallas on Friday, but didn't disclose being burned. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

DALLAS (AP) — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas sustained “extensive second- and third-degree burns” on both legs below the knees and both feet — and may miss next week’s Republican National Convention as a result, his office said Sunday.

Spokesman Matt Hirsch said Abbott was with his family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Thursday when he was scalded in an accident involving hot water. He declined to provide further details.

The governor was treated for several hours at nearby St. John’s Medical Center. As he was being released, a top aide called from Texas to say a gunman had opened fire in downtown Dallas — an attack that killed five police officers and wounded seven others.

“His first words to us were, ‘I’ve got to come back,'” Hirsch said.

Abbott held a press conference in Dallas on Friday, but didn’t disclose being burned. Hirsch said that his legs were wrapped at the time, but that wasn’t evident since they were covered by his pants.

The only hint anything was wrong, Hirsch said, was that the governor was wearing orthopedic shoes that his staff purchased that morning — rather than the dress shoes or boots he usually dons in public.

Hirsch said surgery won’t be required immediately, but that Abbott was heading to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio on Monday afternoon to see specialists. He continues to get his legs wrapped daily and should be required to do so for two or three weeks, Hirsch said.

The governor’s communications team had been working on a statement detailing the burning Thursday, but abandoned it in the aftermath of the mass shooting, Hirsh said. Instead, Abbott released statements about the attack late Thursday night and early Friday morning, as well as an open letter to Texans, urging unity in the face of tragedy.

“For him it was important not to distract from what was happening in Dallas,” Hirsh said.

The accident wasn’t reported until late Sunday. Word first appeared in The Austin American Statesman.

Abbott has used a wheelchair since a tree fell on him while jogging in 1984, paralyzing him from the waist down. Hirsch said the governor still has functioning nerve receptors in his legs and feet, however, and that he has felt pain as they react to the shock of being burned.

The governor is chairman of Texas’ delegation to the Republican convention in Cleveland, which begins July 18. But Hirsch said he may now not make the trip, calling a decision about Abbott’s attendance “day-to-day.” Abbott endorsed the presidential bid of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, but says he supports presumptive nominee Donald Trump.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Scalding yourself (an inept attempt at self-immolation?) to get out of going to the convention in Cleveland isn’t the smartest move. Of course, nobody ever accused Abbott of being smart. Still, you’ve got to admire his dedication.

  2. Spokesman Matt Hirsch said Abbott was with his family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Thursday when he was scalded in an accident involving hot water. He declined to provide further details.…while they prepare the lawsuit against the stove or pan manufacturer.

  3. Wow, they’ll do anything to get out of the convention.

  4. Well, I hate to give Abbott credit for anything, but the fact that he didn’t say anything about this earlier does show at least minimal political instincts. Drumpf would’ve been 'Yes, people are being shot, but I got hurt while I was in another state!"

  5. How convenient.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

112 more replies

Participants

Avatar for bdtex Avatar for alliebean Avatar for ajaykalra Avatar for jw1 Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for jloomis3 Avatar for flekk17 Avatar for rudesan Avatar for boscobrown Avatar for liberal Avatar for dd40 Avatar for sherlock1 Avatar for progressiveoldman Avatar for arc_of_the_universe Avatar for magical_panda Avatar for barblzz Avatar for azjude Avatar for tena Avatar for clauscph Avatar for edhedh Avatar for demyankee Avatar for elbobo Avatar for fiachat

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: