JUNEAU — Golovin Democratic Sen. Donny Olson was flown to Anchorage last Wednesday and hospitalized after suffering “a medical event” in Juneau.
Olson, 71, remained absent from the state Capitol as of Monday.
“I suffered a medical event in Juneau and I put my guardian angels to the test. I received quick care and am well on the road to recovery,” he said on social media Monday. “I will need some time to heal but rest assured I will be back at 100% soon. God is good, all of the time.”
Several senators on Monday said they were unaware of Olson’s condition or what led to last week’s medical event in Juneau.
“We don’t know how long it will be,” said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak.
Stevens said Olson’s family was taking his recovery “day-by-day.” If Olson does not return to Juneau by next week, Stevens said the Golovin Democrat may take an extended break from the Capitol.
Olson was first appointed to the Legislature in 2001. He was reelected to serve another four-year term in 2022. He was present in Juneau last Tuesday to watch his senate colleagues get sworn in on the first day of the legislative session.
Olson, a father of seven, is a medical doctor, pilot and reindeer herder, according to his online legislative biography.