New Jersey Senate candidate freezes during debate

The Republican candidate for New Jersey’s Senate seat, Curtis Bashaw, appeared to freeze up Sunday during a debate against his opponent, Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), as the candidates addressed a question about the country’s affordability crisis.

“I think that we need to make sure that we are dealing with affordability in a sensible way,” Bashaw said at the beginning of the debate, before pausing suddenly.

He grew tense, gripped the podium with both hands and appeared nonresponsive as he stared straight ahead.

After a few seconds, Kim approached Bashaw and asked if he was OK. Bashaw said, “Yeah,” and Kim returned to his podium.

But Bashaw remained tense, prompting Kim to gesture for someone to approach Bashaw’s podium to assist. The moderator then cut to a commercial break, saying they needed to “address some issues here on this stage.”

Bashaw was helped from the stage, and the candidates returned to the debate after roughly 10 minutes, without further issue, The Associated Press reported.

Bashaw addressed the episode when he returned, saying he had not eaten much that day.

“I got so worked up about this affordability issue that I realized I hadn’t eaten so much food today,” he said. “So, I appreciate your indulgence.”

The issue garnered attention on social media after the debate concluded, and Bashaw again addressed the episode, thanking people for their wishes but reassuring them that he is fine.

“Thank you all for the well wishes!” Bashaw wrote on social platform X, responding to a clip of the freeze-up, which the X user described as “a frightening moment.”

“I was out campaigning all day, and I never stopped to get a bite to eat,” Bashaw continued. “Excited to eat pizza with my fantastic volunteers at the post-debate party tonight!”

Bashaw posted a subsequent message telling his followers that he had secured the pizza.

The two candidates are vying for the seat long held by former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who resigned from the Senate in August after he was convicted this summer on federal charges of bribery and acting as an agent for the Egyptian government.

The moment on Sunday recalled the concerning episodes last summer, when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) twice appeared to freeze up during remarks to the press. His staff at the time said he was fine, but lightheaded, and dismissed public concerns about the longtime GOP leader’s health.