Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey treated for dehydration at campaign rally

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was treated by paramedics on Sunday after he appeared to become unsteady during a campaign rally for congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson.

Ivey’s office said the governor became dehydrated and recovered after being treated with fluids. She returned to work on Monday, her spokeswoman said.

Ivey, 80, was attending a campaign rally for Dobson on Sunday evening at SweetCreek Farm Market on Pike Road, about 18 miles southeast of Montgomery, when the incident occurred. Witnesses said Ivey was shaking as she stood with Dobson and held onto a beam for support. WAKA posted a video of the event where the governor looked unsteady. The station reported that members of Ivey’s staff then ran to her. An ambulance was called to the scene.

“While campaigning for Caroleene Dobson at an event tonight, the governor became dehydrated. She was given fluids and examined at the scene as a precaution. She immediately felt better and is doing well at home tonight,” Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola wrote in a text message statement.

Maiola said the governor was in the office on Monday. She had meetings scheduled with legislative leaders and others.

The Republican governor announced in 2019 that she had been diagnosed early stage lung cancer and would undergo radiation treatments. She said in 2020 that the cancer seemed to have disappeared and that her doctor deemed her cancer-free.

Dobson is the Republican candidate in the 2nd Congressional District. Ivey has endorsed Dobson in the race.