Ben Albritton under observation for blood clot in lung, ‘in good spirits’

Senate President Ben Albritton spent the night at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after being diagnosed with a small blood clot in his lung.

According to a release from his Office, on Sunday, the 57-year-old Wauchula Republican experienced chest pains. He spent Sunday evening in the emergency room and is under further observation as of Monday morning, awaiting further testing.

Albritton is in good spirits, according to his Office. His medical event will not delay the business of the Senate and he is hoping to return to the office later this week.

Albritton was elected in 2018 in Senate District 26, but the district was redrawn and renumbered in 2022. Thanks to a draw in that process, he ended up in odd-numbered Senate District 27 in the 2022 campaign cycle. That meant he had to run again in 2024, but won election to a four-year term, giving him the opportunity to serve a full decade in the Senate.

He said during pre-Session meetings of county delegations that he likely was making his last round of those meetings. It’s unclear whether his medical condition would affect his decision-making for the two post-presidential years he can serve in the Senate.

Legislative colleagues and others in The Process are expressing well wishes upon hearing the news.

“Katie and I are praying that Sen. Albritton has a quick recovery. He’s a good man and a man of God,” said U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis.

“Laura and I are keeping Senate President (Albritton) and his family in our prayers for a speedy recovery,” added state Rep. Tom Fabricio.

“Glad to see he is receiving medical care and look forward to his full recovery soon,” said former House Speaker and current candidate for Governor Paul Renner.

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Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics contributed to this report.