Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota will participate in the first Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday night, despite injuring himself playing basketball with his staff on Tuesday.
Mr. Burgum, 67, tore his Achilles’ tendon, according to a campaign aide, but after consulting with an orthopedist on Wednesday afternoon, he declared on X, formerly known as Twitter, “I’m in.”
The aide said Mr. Burgum intended to stand during the two-hour debate but would have a stool to rest on during breaks. The injury was earlier reported by CNN.
On X, 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.
