Reno released from hospital after fainting

Reno lies behind the podium as several people rush to her aid.

ROCHESTER, New York (CNN) -- Former Attorney General Janet Reno, in a battle to unseat Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said Thursday she feels fine and she doesn't expect a fainting episode on Wednesday to affect her campaign.

"I think it was really the heat," she said, explaining why she collapsed while giving a speech Wednesday night at the University of Rochester.

Reno, 63, talked briefly to reporters upon her release Thursday morning from Strong Memorial Hospital.

"I feel fine," she said. "I feel good."

Pressed about her health, Reno -- who has Parkinson's disease, a degenerative nerve disorder that causes tremors in her hands -- said she has fainted before and that it was no big deal.

VIDEO Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno talks about the fainting spell that briefly landed her in a Rochester, N.Y., hospital. (January 31) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno collapsed while giving a speech at the University of Rochester in New York (January 31) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

"George Bush fainted," she said, referencing an episode earlier this month in which the president passed out briefly when he didn't swallow a pretzel properly.

"I don't have a bump on my cheek," she said, an apparent reference to the bruise left on the president's face after he fell.

Reno is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor to run against the president's younger brother, Jeb, who is in his first term as governor. A Mason-Dixon poll from the summer found Reno trailing Bush, 39 percent to 54 percent among registered voters.

Wednesday night, about 40 minutes into her 9 p.m. speech on public service, Reno excused herself and began to move away from the lectern when she fell to the floor.

Aides quickly surrounded her as she lay on the floor on her back.

Reno was conscious when she was put in an ambulance and taken to the hospital, which is part of the university, said Helene Snihur, a university spokeswoman.

Reno was released from the hospital Thursday after a one night stay.

Campaign communications director Nicole Harburger said Reno will fly back to Florida Thursday morning for more meetings about her campaign.

"She really is fine," Harburger said, adding Reno has been keeping a busy schedule and that she's "as busy as she's ever been."

At a news conference earlier Wednesday at the university, Reno was asked whether the Parkinson's disease would affect her race for governor.

"I would never have gotten involved in the race if my doctors had not told me that they did not think it would affect my ability to be governor," she said.