McCaskill Cancels Campaigning to Be With Ill Mom

Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill has canceled campaign events for the remainder of the week to spend time with her critically ill mother.

McCaskill campaign spokesman Caitlin Legacki said Tuesday that the Democratic senator is with her 84-year-old mother, Betty Anne McCaskill, at an intensive care unit of a St. Louis hospital.

McCaskill canceled campaign stops Tuesday in Mount Vernon, Butler and Clinton. Legacki said she also canceled the rest of her get-out-the-vote tour in rural Missouri and all other campaign events through the end of the week.

Legacki said McCaskill and her siblings plan to be with their mother around-the-clock at the hospital and requested prayers and privacy.

Betty Anne McCaskill has joined her daughter on numerous campaign events over the years, often focusing attention on health care issues.