Minnesota governor remains hospitalized after fainting

Dayton was brought to the hospital Sunday for an overnight stay after fainting during the Woodbury stop.

Mark Dayton was hospitalized Sunday night after fainting while speaking at an event in Woodbury, his office announced. He fainted and was taken to Regions Hospital “for further testing”, Tincher said. He is being treated for dehydration and undergoing tests.

“He’s very much looking forward to going home”, Hume said, expressing hope that the governor would be released from the hospital Monday.

Despite the hospitalization, Dayton joked and worked on state issues – including appointing an interim head of the state lottery and penning a letter to lawmakers about a potential special session.

Questions about his health have followed the 69-year-old governor since he took office in 2011.

Dayton underwent elective lower back surgery in December, similar to a procedure he had three years earlier that fused two vertebrae in his lower back, a spokesman said.

He also had had hip surgery in 2014 to alleviate chronic pain. Hume said the governor likely wouldn’t have any events after his release.

Dayton was expected to return to the governor’s residence Monday afternoon and resume his normal schedule.