Update: Burgum suffered Achilles tear playing basketball, plans to participate in tonight’s debate

I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes! 🇺🇸#TeamBurgum pic.twitter.com/5YL3rCEnCd

— Doug Burgum (Text “DOUG” to 70177) (@DougBurgum) August 23, 2023

MILWAUKEE (AP) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum was injured in a pick-up basketball game with staff Tuesday night, on the eve of the first Republican presidential debate.

CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash first broke the news Wednesday morning.

“Breaking: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum was taken to a Milwaukee emergency room Tuesday after suffering an injury while playing a game of pick-up basketball with his staff, making it unclear whether he will be able to stand for the debate tonight, a source familiar tells me,” Bash wrote on the social media platform X, formally known as Twitter.

Sources say Burgum has informed the RNC that he currently plans to participate in the debate.

Missing the debate would be a massive setback for Burgum, who is the least-known of the eight candidates expected to take the stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. The first debate of the GOP primary, which early front-runner Donald Trump has said he’s skipping, is his best opportunity for Burgum to introduce himself to voters.

Burgum qualified for the debate after offering $20 gift cards to donors who gave his campaign a $1 contribution — helping him meet a requirement for the number of donors set by the Republican National Committee for participation.

The governor, who’s 67, had a hip replacement surgery in 2021.