Daily Caller News Foundation

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear requested Wednesday that Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell publicly disclose his health status.

McConnell’s office disclosed no new information about the senator’s condition as he remained hospitalized for about three weeks. Beshear wrote McConnell a letter requesting transparency regarding his condition.

“Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the current status of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate. As Governor, I request that you fully update Kentuckians regarding the current status of your heath,” Beshear said. “As public officeholders, we have a commitment to our constituents to do our best to represent them and to always be transparent. I believe this requires clear communication about one’s ability to serve.”

If McConnell resigned, Beshear would have 30 days to call for a special election so voters could elect a replacement. Republican Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr won the Kentucky Senate GOP primary race in May and is favored to win in November to replace McConnell.

McConnell’s office told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday that McConnell continued to “improve” and worked with staff “on Kentucky and Senate matters,” though they did not respond to multiple requests for comment about his health.

“Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital,” McConnell’s spokesperson said. “The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Majority Whip John Barrasso and CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings claimed they spoke to McConnell for about 20 minutes about a variety of issues, including national security and the Maine Senate race. Their statements all sounded similar and were later shared in an email by McConnell’s office, suggesting a coordinated effort.

Advertisement

Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee said he knew “nothing” about McConnell’s condition, suggesting that other senators also had no knowledge.

McConnell was hospitalized on June 14 after paramedics found him unconscious inside his Washington, D.C., residence and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a “cardiac arrest.” He was treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) from Feb. 2 to Feb. 10 after he suffered from flu-like symptoms. Staffers were frequently seen assisting McConnell while walking around Capitol Hill.

The former majority leader suffered several falls and experienced two on-camera freezing episodes in July 2023.

McConnell’s wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, traveled to China and said her husband’s hospitalization did “not warrant an immediate return.” His youngest daughter, Porter, deactivated her social media account while speculation arose about her father’s health.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].