South Carolina Congressional Candidate Katie Arrington Expected to Make Full Recovery

Katie Arrington, a Republican state legislator who defeated U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford in the South Carolina GOP primary this month, is expected to make a full recovery from serious injuries sustained in a car accident Friday and will continue her campaign, aides said.

“Katie may require one more minimal procedure, but that is not certain at this time,” said a tweet Sunday night from Arrington’s account. “It is still expected that Katie will remain in the hospital for the next two weeks and will make a full recovery.”

Arrington spokesman Michael Mule told the Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, that doctors have told the campaign that Arrington will have no neurological deficits or other limitations once she recovers, and that she plans to continue the campaign.

“She’s a fighter,” Mule told the paper. “This will just be one more thing she will beat and power through.”

According to a campaign statement, Arrington and a friend were driving on the highway when their car was struck by another vehicle traveling in the wrong direction in Charles County around 9 p.m. Friday night.

The campaign said Arrington sustained a fracture in her back and several broken ribs, as well as other injuries that required the removal of a portion of her small intestine and a portion of her colon. Arrington’s friend was driving, with Arrington in the passenger seat. The other driver was killed in the crash, according to police reports.

Arrington, 47, has had several surgeries since Friday at the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital in Charleston, according to her campaign.

“Katie’s family is extremely humbled and grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support, as they know the prayers have been an extremely important part of this healing.” said another tweet Sunday from Arrington’s account.

Arrington’s Democratic opponent, Joe Cunningham, has said that he will suspend active campaigning until the Republican nominee has recovered.

On June 12, Arrington defeated Sanford in a primary that turned on the congressman’s frequent criticism of President Trump. Democrats said they would seriously compete for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, which stretches from Charleston to the state’s border with Georgia.