North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum might not be able to participate in Wednesday's Republican presidential debate after he injured himself while playing basketball and was taken to an emergency room.
Campaign spokesman Lance Trover said Wednesday that it was "unclear if he will be able to stand at the debate." Trover didn't say what type of injury it was but said Burgum's team would have more information later. The injury, which occurred Tuesday while Burgum was playing with campaign staff, was first reported by CNN.
Missing the debate would be a setback for Burgum, the least known of the eight candidates expected to take the stage in Milwaukee. 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, a wealthy businessman, 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.
Burgum, 67, had hip replacement surgery in 2021.