Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time away from Congress after she said she had a “serious” fall, related to alcohol dependence.
“I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week. The fall was serious, but with physical therapy I will fully recover,” the Arizona Democrat said in a Wednesday statement. “I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of the fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence.”
Kirkpatrick, 69, said her office would be “fully operational” while she is absent. “My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available,” she said.
The congresswoman has served three nonconsecutive times in the House. She was elected first in 2009 when she served one term. She followed that up with two terms from 2013 to 2017. In 2016, she unsuccessfully ran against Sen. John McCain during his final Senate race. She most recently joined Congress again in 2018.
Kirkpatrick will be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave available to members after they complete a year of service.
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