Fetterman doctor says Pennsylvania Senate nominee can 'work full duty in public office,' post stroke

A doctor for Pennsylvania Democrat Senate nominee John Fetterman has declared the candidate physically fit for public office – amid ongoing concerns that he has not recovered enough from a stroke in May to serve in an elected office.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Dr. Clifford Chen, Fetterman's primary care physician, said an exam Friday shows the candidate, who is also the state's lieutenant governor, can "work full duty in public office," according to The Hill newspaper.

Last week, MSNBC reporter Dasha Burns said Fetterman, following an interview with him, still has issues communicating effectively.

He "has a hard time understanding what he's hearing" and "still has some problems, some challenges with speech," she said.

Fetterman has also exhibited challenges with auditory processing during some campaign stops. 

Chen also Fetterman's communication has "significantly improved compared to his fist visit assisted by speech therapy, which he has attended on a regular basis since the stroke. ... Overall, Lt. Governor Fetterman is well and shows strong commitment to maintaining good fitness and health practices. He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office.

"He spoke intelligently without cognitive deficits. His speech was normal and he continues to exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder which can come across as hearing difficulty. Occasional words he will 'miss,' which seems like he doesn’t hear the word but it is actually not processed properly. ... His hearing of sound such as music is not affected."

Fetterman has has been the frontrunner his race against Republican nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz. However, recent polling including one sponsored by AARP Pennsylvania poll shows him with 2 percentage-point lead, 48% to 46%, which is within the survey's margin of error.