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Iowa gov. leaves hospital after choking on carrot

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July 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has been released from a California hospital after choking on food during a ceremony for the re-dedication of the USS Iowa battleship in Los Angeles.  Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht said Wednesday the governor choked on a carrot at some point during the event and vomited.  He says the governor was taken to a nearby hospital out of an abundance of caution, went through a series of tests and was quickly released after “everything turned out fine.”  He says Branstad is in good spirits, and “we’re glad he’s okay.” He says the governor had planned to visit his uncle who lives in the area and watch fireworks before returning to Iowa tomorrow. The USS Iowa is a World War II-era battleship that’s being turned into a museum.