Former GOP Presidential contender Rick Santorum hospitalized with dehydration and gastrointestinal illness

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum cancelled a visit to Iowa having been hospitalized.

Santorum is reportedly suffering from dehydration and gastrointestinal illness.



Santorum was to give the keynote address Monday at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's Annual Spring Kickoff.

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum has cancelled a visit to Iowa after being hospitalized

Santorum was to have spoken on how the Republican Party should focus on social and economic issues.



Besides the address, he was also planning to appear at a luncheon on ethical issues in biomedical research for the John Paul II Medical Research Institute.



“While traveling in South Carolina on Saturday, Rick Santorum became ill and was admitted to the hospital for a gastro-intestinal illness and dehydration,' said Virginia Davis, spokesperson for the former Senator's political action committee Patriot Voices, The Hill reported.

“He is feeling better today but remains in the hospital ... He is expected to resume a full schedule later this week and looks forward to returning to Iowa soon.'

Santorum's visit to Iowa, where he won the state's 2012 presidential caucus, has increased speculation he may be planning another run for the White House

The former presidential candidate won the 2012 Iowa caucuses. His returned to the important battleground state has caused some speculation he may be considering another run at the White House.



Santorum himself has not discouraged such thought.



'I’m certainly leaving the door open for that,' he told Newsmax . 'I’m making no commitments at this point, but we’re not doing anything inconsistent with running in 2016.'



