Speak or resign: Beshear ups demand for McConnell health status

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) demanded that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) verbally address constituents and demonstrate his ability to serve or resign his seat in a blunt letter sent to the senator and his staff.

The big picture: It's been more than 40 days since 84-year-old conservative stalwart McConnell has appeared outside of pictures released by his office after being hospitalized. His lengthy absence and past health scares are fueling speculation about his capacity to serve.

Driving the news: Beshear said in the letter that it was also being sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), whom Beshear urged to investigate McConnell's capacity to serve.

"I understand anyone's desire for privacy, but when you run for office and serve as one of a state's two U.S. senators, you willingly abdicate much of your personal privacy," the letter read. "That's the deal, and we all know it when we run."

Beshear concluded the letter, "All of this speculation and even this letter could have been avoided with a minimal amount of transparency," adding, "Kentuckians are just asking you to be honest."

Thune's and McConnell's offices did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

State of play: Under Kentucky law, Senate vacancies — which can occur due to resignation, expulsion or death — are filled by a special election.

McConnell will retire after his term ends in January 2027.

Catch up quick: The letter, dated Monday, is the second that Beshear has sent to the senator's office requesting updates on his health.

McConnell is still recovering from a June fall at his home, according to a Monday statement from Congress' physician's office, which was released alongside a statement from the senator and a photo of him and his wife.

The physician said McConnell has undergone "strenuous" physical therapy and rehabilitation, adding that the senator's childhood bout with polio plays a "significant factor in his mobility."

Friction point: Rumors and conspiracy theories have snowballed in the wake of McConnell's disappearance, fueled by influential MAGA voices.

But McConnell said in the most recent statement issued by his office that he's "still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky."

Go deeper: Scoop: Democrat wants reckoning over McConnell, Kean absences ...