Arizona GOP lawmaker undergoing surgery to remove gallbladder

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) announced Tuesday that she will stay in her home state to undergo surgery to remove her gallbladder, and will not return this week to the Capitol.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lesko said that doctors recommended she have the surgery after she experienced gastrointestinal problems over the last several weeks. 

Lesko said that her main doctor recommended she stay in Arizona and not return to Washington due to her condition and the risk of contracting the coronavirus, which could delay her intended surgery. 

“I look forward to returning to work at full capacity as soon as I am cleared by my physician,” Lesko said in her statement. “As always, my staff in both my Washington, D.C. Office and Surprise District Office are available to assist constituents.”

Lesko was appointed to the House in May 2018 as a vacancy replacement, and won her reelection bid in 2020 to serve a second term, according to The Associated Press. 

Lesko did not note in the statement when she will have her surgery.