Austin News

State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) has recovered after collapsing on the Senate floor on May 5. 

This occurred during a debate on permit-less carry legislation. Immediately prior to Creighton's collapse, the Senate passed House Bill 1927 by an 18-13 vote, which allows eligible Texans to carry firearms without a license to conceal or carry firearms in a holster.  

Within minutes of Creighton's collapse, troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and state Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), who is a physician, helped the senator leave the floor.

"On Thursday evening, Sen. Creighton was involved in a vehicle collision and sustained minor injuries. He spent the last few days resting, and returned to the Capitol for the critical work of the legislature and to ensure a majority to approve H.B. 1927" Erin Daly Wilson, a spokeswoman for Creighton, said in a statement following the incident. "He wants to thank DPS and the physicians who treated him, and will be back working for Senate District 4 as soon as possible."

Creighton himself later updated supporters on his condition with a post to his Facebook account.

"Last Thursday night in Elgin, I was rear-ended and wound up with a concussion," Creighton said. "While the doctor recommended I get some rest for a few days, I felt I needed to be on the Senate floor to ensure we had the votes needed to pass Constitutional Carry. I pushed myself too hard and got lightheaded. I'm grateful to be blessed with so many messages of encouragement and concern. I'm looking forward to getting back to work after some much needed rest."

Creighton was involved in a traffic accident about a week prior, and had returned to his senatorial duties only a few hours previously on Wednesday after several days of recuperation. Debate on the proposed legislation resumed after Creighton left the Senate chamber.