Republican Pennsylvania Senate nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks at an event with Nikki Haley in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 26, 2022. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)
One of the largest newspapers in Pennsylvania has endorsed Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz, while questioning his competitor Democrat John Fetterman about his life experience, maturity, and transparency.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which endorsed former President Donald Trump’s reelection bid in 2020, said Oz is “better equipped to lead and deliver for Pennsylvania,” according to its editorial piece published on Oct. 30. The editorial board stressed that Fetterman’s health after a stroke he suffered in May was not an issue.
“His lack of transparency, however, in refusing to release his medical records is troubling. It suggests an impulse to conceal and a mistrust of the people,” the editorial reads. “All candidates for a major elected office should release their medical records, as did Mr. Oz. If you want privacy, don’t run for public office.”
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator John Fetterman speaks at a reception for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in Philadelphia on Oct. 28, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
In September, Oz released his medical records (pdf), showing the Republican in “excellent health” in an annual checkup.
Meanwhile, Fetterman had repeatedly refused to reveal his medical records until Oct. 19, when the current Pennsylvania lieutenant governor released a letter (pdf) from his primary care doctor stating that he “is recovering well from his stroke” and “has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office.”
However, the letter didn’t disclose that its author—Dr. Clifford Chen who practices at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center—has donated to Fetterman’s campaign. According to Federal Election Commission records, Chen has donated at least $1,330 to Fetterman’s campaign, with the first donation taking place in June 2021, long before the lieutenant governor suffered a stroke.
The editorial board also raised concerns about Fetterman’s “life experience and maturity,” particularly how he “has lived off his family’s money for much of his life” and “has little experience in holding real jobs or facing the problems of working people.”
That day, at the only scheduled debate between Oz and Fetterman, the Democrat struggled with his words and took long pauses in between responses.
Robert Cahaly, a senior pollster at the Trafalgar Group, told NTD’s Capitol Report that Oz performed better than his competitor during the debate.
Oz
In contrast, the editorial board said Oz had “achieved his worldwide fame and success largely through his own talent and determination.”
“Unlike most Republican politicians, candidate Oz spent a lot of time in poor urban neighborhoods, talking to people and, most important, listening and learning,” the board wrote.
It also wrote that Oz was “more moderate” on some issues than he has been portrayed, and didn’t think he would be “a stooge” for the far right or Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
“We’re encouraged that Mr. Oz is portraying himself as a unifier who will work with Democrats to get things done for Pennsylvania,” the board added. “It remains to be seen whether he can pull that off, but he has the potential to become an influential, thoughtful and independent senator.”
The board continued, “Mr. Oz is likable, engaging, extremely smart and a good listener. Yes, he can sound like a smooth-talking salesman, but that may be what it takes to get deals done in Washington.”
Mehmet Oz, who is running for the US Senate, speaks as former U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind him during a campaign rally at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Sept. 3, 2022. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
“We believe Mr. Oz is the better bet for Pennsylvania,” the board concluded.
Pennsylvania’s Senate race between Oz and Fetterman remains closely divided. Polling aggregation site RealClearPolitics currently ranks that race as a “toss-up,” with Fetterman having a 1.5-point edge.
Two recent polls after the debate found Oz in the lead. According to an Insider Advantage poll (pdf) taken on Oct. 26, Oz led Fetterman by 47.5 percent to 44.8 percent. 3.6 percent said they were undecided on whom they would vote for.
Another poll, conducted by Wicks Insights on Oct. 26 and 27, found Oz leading with 47.6 percent of support, with Fetterman trailing at 45.9 percent.
In response to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s endorsement, Oz wrote on Twitter that Pennsylvanians want to see some changes in Washington.
“I started my campaign doing what any good doctor should do: I listened,” Oz wrote. “I heard from Pennsylvanians who want a bold leader who will restore balance in Washington—not more of the same extremism and radical policies we continue to hear from my opponent.”
Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers U.S., China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
