Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel  was in serious condition Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery for bleeding to the brain, a spokeswoman said.

Adel underwent surgery after being hospitalized Tuesday night, spokeswoman Jennifer Liewer said in a statement. “”This is understandably a very difficult situation and we ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Adel, a Republican, was appointed county attorney in late 2019 to fill a vacancy. She narrowly trailed Democratic challenger Julie Gunnigle in partial results from Tuesday’s general election.

Gunnigle said Tuesday night on Twitter that she learned of Adel’s hospitalization through news media calls.

“My thoughts are with Allister and her family. We should give them privacy in this moment and we wish for a full recovery,” Gunnigle added.

Adel was appointed by the county Board of Supervisors to fill a vacancy created by Gov. Doug Ducey’s appointment of then-County Attorney Bill Montgomery’s to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Adel was appointed to complete the remainder of Montgomery’s term, which ends in January 2021.

Adel previously worked as a prosecutor, administrative law judge and general counsel for the Arizona Department of Child Safety.