Alabama Sen. Garlan Gudger injured in jet ski accident

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, speaks on his bill criminalizing certain forms of absentee ballot assistance in the Alabama Senate on March 19, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, underwent a “brief surgical procedure” Thursday to address internal bleeding after a jet ski accident, according to a news release. Doctors were also monitoring other injuries.

The two-term senator was airlifted to the University of Alabama Birmingham hospital Thursday after a jet ski accident on Smith Lake, according to a Thursday news release provided by spokesperson Harrison Adams for Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper.

The news release said that he was currently in the intensive care unit but that physicians indicated that the “prognosis for his recovery is good.”

Gudger’s wife, Heather, wrote in a statement on his behalf Thursday night that they were thankful to the medical responders.

“Everyone who knows Garlan is aware that he is a strong, tough, and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue serving the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values that so many of us hold close,” she wrote.

Gudger was first elected in 2018, per the Alabama Senate Republicans website. He has sponsored legislation related to absentee ballot applications and requiring hospital visitation for some visitors.

This story was updated at 1:13 p.m.

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