Crowley Political Report

Jennifer Jacobs of Des Moines Register is reporting that Jeb Bush's chief campaign strategist was diagnosed over the weekend with an aggressive form of  leukemia.

From Jacobs' report:

Kochel, 51, has been splitting his time between Miami and Des Moines as he plots a victory for Bush in the presidential race. He remains a central part of the campaign – and was on a staff call Monday morning – but Bush said he wants Kochel to put his health first.

"Columba's and my prayers are with our friend David for a very speedy recovery," Bush said in a statement. "He is an integral leader of our team, and more importantly, a great human being. I look forward to having David healthy and at 100 percent as we take on the Iowa caucuses and beyond."

Kochel had been feeling under the weather for several weeks, and had undergone medical tests in Miami. When symptoms grew worse Friday, he was hospitalized in Des Moines, where the illness was identified as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

Just moments ago, Kochel posted this on Twitter:

Here's my first chemo selfie! Also put a "dear Leukemia" note up on http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thekocheltriangle/journal/view/id/561be391ab28b93023ef9ae7 … #AllInForJeb

Read more from the Des Moines Register.