• Ridge, 75, suffered stroke on Wednesday at home in suburban Washington, D.C.
  • Spokesman said Wednesday Ridge is in critical but stable condition
  • His wife, Michele, offered update on Thursday; his brother, David, thanked well-wishers

Former Gov. Tom Ridge faces “a long road ahead” as he recovers from a stroke he suffered Wednesday while at his house in suburban Washington, D.C., his wife, Michele, said in a statement on Thursday.

She also said the family is hoping for “a full recovery.”

Her remarks are the latest information on Tom Ridge, 75, a longtime Erie resident and the nation’s first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Tom Ridge’s spokesman on Thursday said Ridge’s status remains remains critical but stable at a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area.

“Tom suffered a stroke early on Wednesday,” Michele Ridge said in her statement. “His excellent medical team continues to monitor and evaluate his status.

“We are hopeful for a full recovery while recognizing he will have a long road ahead, no doubt. But we take comfort and strength from knowing what a determined fighter Tom is and that he has come back strong from health challenges in the past.