Former Missouri congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson is in stable condition at a hospital in Italy after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
A spokeswoman said Emerson had been vacationing with her family when she "experienced a medical emergency."
The family said in a statement later that Emerson "had a successful surgery and is in stable condition. She is receiving excellent care. The family appreciates all of the outpouring of love and support and asks that you keep JoAnn in your prayers.”
Emerson is 64 and a native of Cape Girardeau.
A Republican, she represented Missouri’s 8th District, which takes in southeast Missouri and part of Jefferson County, from 1996 until early 2013. She resigned to become chief executive of the Washington-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
She is married to Ron Gladney, a prominent labor lawyer whose firm is based in St. Louis.
