Send prayers to Senator Ford

We learn this morning from the Commercial Appeal that Senator Ophelia Ford (D-29) is likely to miss the entire 201o legislative session, according to a statement from Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle.

From the story:

But this morning, addressing his colleagues on the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis said Ford’s family advised him that her illness is severe and there is no expectation that she will return to her public duties soon. Adjournment of the legislative session is now targeted for late April or early May.

“I have been in contact with her family, who have advised me that Sen. Ford had a surgical procedure in December and has had complications from the surgery since that time,” Kyle told his colleagues. “She has been hospitalized for various periods of time. I do not know whether she’s hospitalized today.

“But their expectation -- and they gave me the expectation -- is that Sen. Ford is facing some severe medical issues and that we should not expect to see her in the Senate anytime in the near future. There is no date they have given me.

“I can only ask, and her family asks, that you keep her in your prayers. Sen. Ford has struggled with her health in the last several years. I don’t have a period of time I can say I expect her back. I would hope she would be back next week but I don’t have the expectation she will be back in the next several weeks. We hope to have her back before the end of session but the session we hope is going to be shorter this year,” Kyle said.

If this is the case, then Senator Ford needs to focus completely on her recovery. This is not the first bout with serious illness since her election in 2006, and one sadly must wonder if she can continue to serve her District, given her frail condition.

Her first concern must be her health; if she is unable to perform her duties, it is time to consider if she should step aside so that the 29th Senatorial District may receive the representation it now lacks due to these circumstance beyond Senator Ford's control.

If she were to step aside, achieve full recovery (as we all very much hope that she does) and then decide to present herself for public office, I suspect she would be welcomed back with open arms.

Should she decide to do so, then the Shelby County Commission would appoint her successor to serve through the general election in November, IIRC. If that becomes the situation, I would only ask that they appoint someone who would not seek the office on a permanent basis.

Senator, please get well, we're all praying for you.

I really hate having to say this, but....

UPDATE 01/09, thanks again to ACK:

From the office of Jim Kyle:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 9, 2008
ADVISORY: KYLE AVAIL ON DISTRICT 29 BILL NASHVILLE -- At 8:45 a.m. CST on Thursday, January 10, Democratic Leader Senator Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, will hold a media availability in the Legislative Plaza Press Gallery to discuss legislation related to the situation in Senate District 29.
WHO: Senator Jim Kyle
WHAT: Avail on District 29 legislation
WHEN: Thursday, January 10, 8:45 a.m. CST
WHERE: Legislative Plaza Press Gallery

Ruh-roh.

If Senator Ophelia Ford (D-29) is going to be absent from her Senate duties for an extended period of time, as her attorney has advised, then the question must be asked: What is her long-term prognosis?

I'm not the first to ask this question; Senator Jim Kyle (D-28), her party's Leader in the Senate, has apparently asked this as well. From his perspective, he needs to know whether he can count on her vote at any point in the legislative session, which begins tomorrow.

As you know, I supported her in her first election, and through the fol-de-rol of whether it was legal or not. I don't want to throw her out in the snow if there is a reasonable chance that she will return soon. However, her constituency has a right to know if they are going to have representation this spring, or ever. I believe that someone with a knowledge of her condition needs to make a public explanation, so that the citizens of Senate 29 can determine if they need to request that she resign in order to take care of her health and that they can replace her.

This is not meant with any disrespect to Senator Ford or her family or anyone connected to her. Her constituency needs to know what the prognosis is for her recovery, as her physical inability to perform her duties effectively disenfranchises them while session is going on.

Personally, I think I speak for everyone in the Democratic family when I am hoping and praying for a speedy and full recovery for Senator Ford. She has a good heart and the best intentions for District 29.

However, it is becoming apparent that she simply may not have the physical health necessary to perform her duties at the level her constituents require. There is no shame in this whatsoever, and I wish her only the best.

If this in fact is the case, it is incumbent on those around her to make this public, or at least explain the situation and make clear that she can recover, if possible.

I believe this is in the best interest of Senator Ford and her constituents.

Thanks to Kleinheider for the hat tip.