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More than three weeks after Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized for reasons that have not been disclosed, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is calling for answers.In a letter sent July 8 to the senator's office, the Democratic governor requested the longtime Senate leader "fully update Kentuckians regarding the current status of your health," arguing that constituents in the Bluegrass State have grown "increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate.""As public officeholders, we have made a commitment to our constituents to do our best to represent them and to always be transparent," Beshear wrote in the brief letter. "I believe this requires clear communication about one's ability to serve.""We wish you a safe and speedy recovery," the five-sentence letter concludes. It was dated July 8 and addressed to McConnell's office in Washington, DC.Representatives for the senator did not immediately respond to a request for comment.McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14, with staff members at the time noting he was receiving "excellent care" without disclosing the reason for the hospitalization. Audio from a 911 call was later made public, showing that someone at a Washington, DC, residence linked to McConnell was in need of CPR the morning he was taken to the hospital.McConnell's representatives have not detailed why he was hospitalized in the weeks since and have been brief in updates, repeatedly noting he is still in the hospital and recovering while continuing to follow Senate business. On July 7, three political allies – Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and longtime McConnell aide Scott Jennings, a conservative CNN pundit – each said they'd spoken to the senator in recent days, triggering a flood of related memes from people claiming to have spoken with the senator.Beshear, a Democrat, said last week he had been given "no information, no updates" about McConnell's health since he was hospitalized. The senator is 84 and is not running for reelection. The state's Republican nominee, Rep. Andy Barr, is set to take on Democratic nominee Charles Booker in November's general election.In a July 8 news release about the letter, Beshear said while he wished McConnell well in his recovery, allowing speculation to continue "is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source."This story will be updated.Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.
