Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has called on Senator Mitch McConnell to confirm his fitness to remain in office or step down following an extended hospital stay. Beshear, seen as a promising national Democratic figure, sent a formal letter highlighting concerns about McConnell’s health.

The letter follows an announcement from McConnell’s office, stating that the 84-year-old senator remains in rehabilitation and has not been cleared to return home. His absence means he will miss key political activities in Kentucky and upcoming Senate votes. McConnell’s hospitalization began on June 14 due to a fall, with public disclosure occurring weeks later.

Beshear’s demand comes after earlier encouraging McConnell to release further information regarding his health. His latest letter represents a more forceful appeal. “I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign,” Beshear wrote. Additionally, Beshear implored Senate Majority Leader John Thune to investigate McConnell’s health status if the senator fails to demonstrate his capability to serve.

Both McConnell’s and Thune’s offices have declined to comment on the letter.

McConnell, a veteran leader of Senate Republicans, has mostly kept his private life shielded from public view. After his last month’s hospitalization, his office released updates on July 12 and 27, each with a single photo. However, public concerns have increased about the health of senior politicians following other incidents, such as the deaths of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2023, Sen. Lindsey Graham recently, and President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for reelection amid health concerns.

Without frequent updates from McConnell, speculation about his condition is growing. Beshear noted that transparency could have alleviated much of this uncertainty. “All of this speculation and even this letter could have been avoided with a minimal amount of transparency,” he wrote to Thune.

Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report from Washington.