Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was discharged from the hospital this morning, two days after he was admitted for suffering a mild heart attack.
In a statement, Dardenne says he woke up Saturday morning feeling pressure in his chest. His wife, Cathy, took him to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where “a heart catheterization procedure revealed some blockages.” Dardenne declines to describe the extent of the blockage.
“I’ve been treated and remain alert and very thankful,” the 62-year-old says. “I am heeding my doctors’ advice regarding rest but look forward to returning to work.”
It’s unclear how long Dardenne will remain out of work. He was discharged from the hospital shortly after 9 a.m.
In a statement this morning, Gov. John Bel Edwards says, “Jay is an integral part of this administration, and Donna and I are praying for his speedy recovery. We look forward to having him back at work as soon as he is able.”
Dardenne, a lifelong Republican, has been Commissioner of Administration since January, shortly after the Democratic Edwards took office. A former lieutenant governor, secretary of state and 14-year veteran of the Louisiana Legislature, Dardenne crossed party lines to endorse Edwards last year after his failed bid to make the gubernatorial runoff.
In his position as the state’s chief budget officer, Dardenne has presided over one of the most challenging state fiscal crises in years. He also recently renegotiated the state’s contracts with the partner hospitals that provide indigent care around the state.
—Stephanie Riegel
