Spokesman: Iowa governor to be hospitalized overnight after falling ill

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will be hospitalized overnight after he fell ill at an event.

Spokesman Jimmy Centers said Monday afternoon that Branstad had been admitted to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and is being observed for flu-like symptoms. Branstad's Tuesday appearances have been canceled.

The governor was taken by ambulance to the hospital after he required assistance at a ribbon-cutting event Monday for a new research center at DuPont Pioneer in the Des Moines suburb of Johnston. He struggled with a speech and began to lose his balance. Branstad was then offered a chair before being helped to lie on the floor.

The 68-year-old Republican governor was recently re-elected to a sixth non-consecutive term.