Jerry Coffee, a former Vietnam prisoner of war and motivational speaker, suspended his campaign in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate yesterday after undergoing emergency heart bypass surgery in Texas.

Coffee, 72, became ill after attending a funeral Saturday for his mother-in-law. His son, Jerry Coffee Jr., told reporters at Hawai'i Republican Party headquarters last night that this was Coffee's third heart surgery.

"At this time my father is strong and, as many of you who know him would guess, in very good spirits," his son said. "He's surrounded by friends and family and is expected to make a full recovery."

Coffee announced his candidacy in July but immediately left with his wife on a humanitarian mission to Africa. The Coffees cut the mission short to go to the funeral over the weekend and had planned to attend a Washington, D.C., fundraising event yesterday before returning to the Islands to campaign.

Coffee Jr. said it is unlikely his father will revive his campaign even if he makes a speedy recovery.

State election officials could not be reached last night, but the Web site for the state Office of Elections says candidates have until Sept. 1 to withdraw for health-related reasons. Five lesser-known Republicans — Mark Beatty, Chas. "Akacase" Collins, Jay Friedheim, Edward Pirkowski and Steve Tataii — are also on the ballot.

Gov. Linda Lingle, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and other influential Republicans appeared at Coffee's campaign announcement last month and many Republicans believed he would be a solid — if long shot — candidate against the winner of the Democratic primary between U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Ed Case.

Coffee lost a state House race in 2004 and has had no other political experience. But his background as a Navy pilot who spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his national reputation as a motivational speaker made him a potentially compelling candidate.

Sam Aiona, the state GOP chairman, said it was too soon to discuss the party's strategy. "Obviously, we're disappointed. But I think right now the main concern is the health and well-being of Capt. Jerry Coffee," he said. "It's time for all of this to sink in and keep our thoughts and prayers with the Coffee family."

Coffee Jr. said his father could return home soon and may resume writing a political column for MidWeek that he suspended for the campaign. Coffee Jr.,said the family was proud of Coffee's desire to run and disappointed, if a little relieved, by his decision to suspend the campaign.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.