WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman of Pennsylvania released a doctor’s letter on Wednesday that said he was recovering well from a stroke and has no work restrictions.
Fetterman, the Pennsylvania lieutenant governor who faces Republican celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz in November’s election, has gradually returned to the campaign trail in recent months after suffering a stroke in May that he said nearly killed him.
“Overall, the Lt. Governor is recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve,” Dr. Clifford Chen wrote in a letter released by Fetterman’s campaign.
Chen said Fetterman “continues to exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder which can come across as a hearing difficulty,” Chen said, adding that the candidate’s communication has improved significantly.
Oz, a television doctor endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has raised questions about Fetterman’s health as the Nov. 8 election approached. The closely watched Pennsylvania race will help determine whether President Joe Biden’s Democrats hold onto their razor-thin margin in the U.S. Senate.
Fetterman has attended speech therapy since the stroke, takes medication to prevent future strokes and can walk four to five miles without difficulty, Chen wrote.
Chen said in the letter that Fetterman is committed to maintaining good fitness and health practices. “He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office,” the doctor said.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
