Army vet running for Congress in Arizona suspends campaign after heroin overdose

Chris Taylor, one of the Republicans looking to challenge Democratic Rep. Tom O'Halleran in Arizona's 1st Congressional District this November, announced Monday that he is suspending his campaign after a recent heroin overdose.

“Today, I have suspended my campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives and am seeking treatment for substance abuse disorder,” Taylor said in a statement. “I will fully cooperate with local authorities on any matters arising from my recent relapse and overdose.”

Taylor was taken to the hospital last week to be treated for an overdose after a family member found him unresponsive in his home, according to the Arizona Daily Sun.

Taylor, a father of two and city councilman who served two combat tours in Afghanistan, said he had struggled with an opioid addiction since high school and recently relapsed after “many solid years in sobriety.” According to his campaign website, Taylor founded Desert Eagle Addiction Recovery and for five years had led the nonprofit in its mission to help combat vets and others suffering from drug addictions.

“I have to figure out where I went wrong,” Taylor said. “The only thing I can do is face this head-on in complete humility and put one foot in front of the other so that I can get the help needed to be the father and husband that my family deserves.”

On his campaign website, Taylor made "supporting President Trump" one of his top priorities, and he supports the U.S.-Mexico border wall. He also supports standard Republican positions on abortion, guns and taxes.