Connecticut Dem Sen Chris Murphy hospitalized Saturday for stroke

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., suffered a stroke and was taken to a hospital on Saturday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., was hospitalized after experiencing a stroke, his chief of staff Allison Herwitt said in a statement released Sunday.

Murphy, who is not running in the midterms but has been stumping for Democrats, began feeling numbness in his arm Saturday afternoon while at his son’s hockey game and was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Johns Hopkins for further monitoring, according to Allison Herwitt.

"He is awake and alert, and we are optimistic he will make a full recovery," Herwitt said, adding that Murphy is responding well to treatment and doctors are encouraged by his progress.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.

Eric Mack is a breaking news reporter and writer Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, with a particular interest in stories that lead the news cycle on politics, elections, foreign affairs and government.