TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie's State of the State address was briefly interrupted when Pastor Joe Carter fainted near the podium.

As the governor started talking about phasing our the state's estate tax, Christie stopped speaking as a female voice could be heard asking for an EMT. There was a murmer in the chamber and someone said "elevate him up" as state troopers and medical personnel entered to assist the 46-year-old Carter. Christie' wife, Mary Pat, helped care for Carter before help arrived.

The governor asked for a moment of silent prayer for Carter before continuing his address.

Carter's condition and an exact cause of his fainting was not known. News 12 New Jersey tweeted that the staff at his New Hope Baptist Church in Newark said he was "okay."

Christie recorded a commercial with Carter about dealing with addiction in New Jersey. Carter also presided over Whitney Houston's funeral at his church in 2012.

Christie referenced Carter in the speech.

"I created the Facing Addiction Task Force in the private sector chaired by Carter and former Gov. Jim McGreevey to keep these issues front and center. They have worked together to address addiction from many angles — prevention, treatment, recovery, helping people as they leave rehab or incarceration, supporting individuals in recovery with housing, health care, employment. They are outstanding New Jerseyans who have answered the call from this governor and their fellow citizens to serve families in desperate need and to save lives. They have my sincere thanks and I am confident that they have yours as well."

 

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