LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas legislative leaders said Friday that they’re not sure why a lawmaker gave an incoherent speech on the House floor and had to be escorted from the chamber.
State Rep. Mark McElroy, D-Tillar, went to the House podium early in Friday’s session and delivered a rambling, incoherent speech that referred to the morning prayer and praised the governor and other lawmakers.
Several minutes later, amid a debate on a guns-on campus bill, McElroy interrupted a speaker by standing up and applauding. The former Desha County judge was then assisted as he left the chamber.
House Minority Leader Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, said he believed McElroy suffered some sort of medical episode and was seen by a doctor at the Capitol before leaving the building on his own.
McElroy didn’t respond to calls or an e-mail Friday.
Front Section, Pages 4 on 02/16/2013