Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut is in the hospital after having a stroke. His chief of staff Allison Herwitt shared the news in a statement.

Herwitt said the trouble began Saturday afternoon. "Senator Murphy started experiencing numbness in his arm while at his son's hockey game," she said.

He was rushed to a hospital where doctors found he had suffered a stroke. He was later transferred to Johns Hopkins for care. There he "responded well to treatment."

Hopeful news

Herwitt struck an upbeat tone about his recovery. She said doctors are pleased with how he is doing, adding that "he is awake and alert."

"We are very optimistic he will make a full recovery," she said.

Well wishes pour in

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz spent time with the senator the day before it happened. She said he "was energetically encouraging voters to participate in the upcoming election."

Fellow Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent his support too. "Thinking of my great friend and colleague, Chris Murphy. I know how fiercely he fights and I'm certain I'll be welcoming him back to the Senate soon," he said.

Murphy recently threw his weight behind Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate contest. That contest is making waves today after Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed, announced she is supporting Republican Mike Rogers.