The Republican Party of Washington County, Pennsylvania, issued a Facebook statement Monday urging Sen. John Fetterman to appear on camera to “show us he is alive and well.”
Washington County, located in far southwest Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, has 200,000 residents, accounting for about 1.5% of the state’s population. Republican Mehmet Oz won the county by more than 13 points in November, though Fetterman beat him by about 5 points in statewide voting.
“Because of the now confirmed lies that were told during the 2022 general election regarding the health of Senator John Fetterman, as well as the threats made against a journalist who interviewed him, the Washington County Republican Party refuses to take assurances from the Office of the Senator or Democrat operatives that Fetterman is able to carry out his duties as Senator,” party chairman Sean Logue wrote on Facebook.
“As such, we call upon Senator Fetterman to appear on camera to show us he is alive and well, and if he is unable to do so, we call upon our elected Representatives in Washington, Senator Casey and Congressman Reschenthaler, to intervene immediately.
“Ultimately, if Fetterman is unable or unwilling to carry out his duties as a United States Senator, then we ask for his resignation and call for a special election to be held this year; no more lies or games,” it concluded.
According to a Monday update from his office, Fetterman is still at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
In May, Fetterman, 53, suffered a stroke.
According to CBS, he was evaluated on Feb. 16 by Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, and checked himself in for clinical depression symptoms.
According to Adam Jentleson, the senator’s chief of staff, Fetterman has suffered from depression “on and off” throughout his life, and it has become more frequent.
“We don’t have a lot to update folks with since there’s no real news to report except that John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery,” Joe Calvello, a representative of Fetterman’s office, said in a statement, according to The Washington Post.
“He is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news,” he said. “We understand the intense interest in John’s status and especially appreciate the flood of well-wishes.”
“However, as we have said this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update,” he said.
Calvello said the office was working as usual.
“Our team is moving full speed ahead and working tirelessly for the people of Pennsylvania,” Calvello said. “Just last week we opened a new office in Erie and will be opening several more offices in the coming weeks.”
According to NBC, “a close senior aide” said Fetterman’s stay would be prolonged until doctors were certain they had achieved the correct dosage for the medicine Fetterman would be taking.
According to his aide, Fetterman has been struggling with the changes in his life and has been questioning his self-worth.
