MANCHESTER, NH – Former Manchester Mayor Bob Baines wasn’t sure how to react to the news circulating Monday night, that Executive Councilor John Stephen had been hospitalized.
“I don’t really know anything,” Baines said, after speaking with fellow former mayor Ted Gatsas and repeating what several others in the loop had been hearing, that Stephen suffered an apparent heart attack while jogging in Florida.
Ink Link has confirmed that Stephen did suffer a cardiac event on Nov. 30 while jogging in Florida, according to spokesman Chris Maidment, adding that he is “currently getting excellent care.”
The family posted Tuesday morning on social media:
“As many of you have already heard, John suffered a cardiac event while out for a run on Sunday and is receiving excellent medical care while he works towards recovery.
“The Stephen family asks that you keep John in your prayers. More updates as possible will follow.“
Baines and Stephen have known each other for more than 30 years. Baines is hoping for the best as he awaits more information.
“He’s one of the good guys of politics. Whatever it is, our prayers are with the Stephen family tonight and our hearts go out to John,” Baines said.
Local conservative talk radio host Jack Heath posted earlier in the evening on social media that he had also heard Stephen suffered “a serious health issue,” adding that those who pray should “put politics aside and pray for those who really do try to make a difference for people in the community.”
Stephen, 63, is serving his first term as Executive Council in District 4, succeeding Gatsas in that role. He is former commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, and served as deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Safety as well as assistant Attorney General of New Hampshire, and assistant Hillsborough County attorney. He won the GOP nomination for governor in 2010. Stephen is founder of the Stephen Group, a healthcare consulting group based in Manchester.
He and his wife Jenny have two daughters, Nicole and Hannah.
We’ll update this story as more information is gathered.