Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota injured himself playing basketball with his staff on Tuesday, jeopardizing his planned appearance at Wednesday’s first Republican presidential primary debate.
Mr. Burgum, 67, tore his Achilles’ tendon, according to a campaign aide, and it was unclear on Wednesday afternoon whether he would participate in the debate. The aide said Mr. Burgum would make a final decision after visiting an orthopedist. The injury was earlier reported by CNN.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr. Burgum posted a throwback photograph of himself playing basketball and said his pre-debate pickup game wasn’t the first to send him to the emergency room. “Appreciate all the well-wishes!” he wrote.
Mr. Burgum is among the least-known candidates who made the stage, climbing over the 1 percent polling requirement set by the Republican National Committee after dipping into his personal fortune to air television ads in the early nominating states.
In a brief interview this month, Mr. Burgum made clear that reaching the stage was a key first step in his candidacy.
“The important part was making the debate,” he had said.
