Katie Arrington, the woman who knocked off ardent Trump critic and incumbent Rep. Mark Sanford in their primary race just two weeks ago faced an early morning surgery Saturday. Involved in a fatal car crash Friday night, it sounds as though the Republican nominee for South Carolina’s First Congressional District is lucky to be alive. (Post & Courier)

She sustained a fracture in her back and several broken ribs. Other injuries will require major surgery, including the removal of her small intestine. The main artery in her legs has a partial collapse and will require a stint.

The 47-year-old woman is scheduled for a second surgery Saturday and will remain in the hospital for at least two weeks. The good news is that Arrington is physically fit, thanks to daily work-outs, and a campaign consultant said, “There’s not many people as tough as Katie Arrington.”

Traveling south to Hilton Head Island Friday night, Arrington was a passenger in a car hit by a driver going north in the wrong lane on U.S. Highway 17. The other car’s driver was killed. Arrington was traveling with a friend to Hilton Head to receive an award Saturday morning from a state medical association. Her Twitter account provides details about her injuries and asks for prayers for both Arrington and the other car’s driver and that person’s family, too.

As her family asked last night, Katie asks for your continued prayers for the deceased and the deceased's family, as well as prayers for a quick recovery for Katie and her friend. — Rep. Katie Arrington (@karringtonsc) June 23, 2018

Arrington’s friend traveling with her also sustained serious injuries. Bi-partisan support is pouring in for Katie Arrington. Rep. Mark Sanford said, “Our thoughts and prayers this morning go to Katie Arrington, her family and those involved in last night’s automobile accident.” Her opponent, Democrat nominee Joe Cunningham, is suspending all campaign activity until further notice.

We are suspending all campaign activities until further notice. https://t.co/yigZupPoLz — Joe Cunningham (@JoeCunninghamSC) June 23, 2018

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster weighed in on Saturday morning. He’s up for re-election himself and is expected to have campaign rallies with both Vice-President Pence and President Trump.

I just spoke with Katie’s husband, Rob. We are shocked by the news of her accident and urge all South Carolinians to keep her in their prayers. She is a strong, determined woman. We need her, and she will pull through. — Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) June 23, 2018

You may remember that just a few hours before polls closed on primary election day, President Trump tweeted out last minute support of Arrington and she credited that action with keeping her out of a run-off. Here’s hoping the successful businesswoman and Marine mom is soon well on the road to recovery and back on the campaign trail.