Maryland Senator Saves Life of His Opponent

By Linda Orlando

While Democratic state Sen. John Giannetti was waiting for his order of penne pasta and meatballs at Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante and Café in Annapolis, he might have been mulling over his strategy for campaigning in the fall, when he will be up for re-election. The campaign is expected to be a tough, hard-hitting contest, so Giannetti certainly had plenty to think about. But suddenly a man stumbled into the bar, obviously choking on some food, and whatever thoughts Giannetti was having were instantly forgotten as he jumped from his seat to help.

"Somebody came out of the dining room and was sort of hunched over," Giannetti told reporters. "At first, I didn’t recognize him." The choking man was in fact former delegate Jim Rosapepe, who is challenging Giannetti in the Democratic primary for the suburban Washington district this fall. When Giannetti saw the man hunched over and in distress, he decided to try performing the Heimlich. "Maybe a staff member, I can’t remember, it’s sort of a blur, was behind him, maybe trying to give him the Heimlich maneuver, but they were pounding on his chest—they weren’t doing it properly," Giannetti said. "I went in, put my fist below his rib cage, and really, in one quick motion, just pulled in and up." It wasn’t until afterward that the senator realized the man was his opponent in the race this fall.

Restaurant owner Bob Beccia told the same story. "He was slouched over with his hands across his stomach area. I thought he was going to be getting sick and…he stood up straight and was able to say ‘help.’ He certainly was in discomfort and he…was certainly in fear of choking." Beccia added, "It all happened, gosh, it wasn’t even a minute." Giannetti rushed over, performed the Heimlich, and dislodged a chunk of fish that was lodged in his windpipe, and possibly saved his life. "From several feet away, I could clearly see a fairly large portion of food being expelled from his throat," Beccia said.

Rosapepe said a lot of people were trying to help him when he stumbled into the bar unable to breathe. "I was having seafood and a little bit of seafood got stuck in my throat," he said. After he recovered, Rosapepe thanked his opponent for saving him. "I’m very grateful to him," Rosapepe said. "I mean, we are both blessed. I’m blessed that it wasn’t serious; he’s blessed with the opportunity to do a good deed. It’s a good day."

Although pure coincidence brought the two men together for a heroic rescue, many people believe the incident could change the tone of the campaign. Rosapepe has harshly criticized Giannetti for inviting University of Maryland students to tailgate parties where alcohol was served. But Giannetti is a local hero in many people’s mind, because this is the third time he has performed the Heimlich maneuver on someone in a public place.