Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge In Critical Condition

PITTSBURGH PA - Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary and Pittsburgh area native Tom Ridge was in critical condition Thursday after undergoing an emergency heart catheterization procedure.

CBS News reported that Ridge, 72, who served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 1995 until 2001, was attending the Republican Governors Association conference in Austin, Texas, when he sought medical assistance from the hotel staff.

"The Governor's friends and family are grateful to the Marriott Hotel's emergency services team, the paramedics who quickly responded, and to the hospital's cardiac staff, nurses and ER physicians for their tremendous professionalism, caring and concern,” a statement from a Ridge representative said.

Ridge was the nation’s first Homeland Security secretary, serving from 2003 to 2005. He is a native of Munhall.

Photo: Associated Press.