State senator saves rival from choking on pasta

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — State Sen. John Giannetti was waiting for his take-out order of penne pasta and meatballs at an Italian restaurant when he saw a man choking.

Giannetti rushed over, performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged a chunk of seafood — saving the life of his political rival.

The choking man, Jim Rosapepe, is challenging Giannetti in the Democratic primary for the suburban Washington district.

"It's one of those really weird, cosmic things," Giannetti said, adding that Rosapepe was hunched over and moving toward him in distress, so he decided to try performing the Heimlich.