The state lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, has defeated famous TV doctor Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania’s high-stakes Senate contest, bringing an end to one of the year’s nastiest and most costly campaigns, as both parties saw it as a potential tipping point for control of the chamber.
Fetterman will succeed Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, who chose not to run for re-election. It was shortly after 2 a.m. E.T., Fetterman led by more than 2 percentage points, with approximately 93% of projected votes cast.
This was announced by Fetterman via Twitter on Tuesday.
“It’s official. I will be the next U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. We bet on the people of Pennsylvania — and you didn’t let us down. And I won’t let you down. Thank you,” he tweeted.
Speaking for roughly seven minutes at his election night event in Pittsburgh, Fetterman said: “This race is for the future of every community all across Pennsylvania. For every small town or person that ever felt left behind.”
Meanwhile, at his party in Bucks County, Oz had expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious.
He said, “When all the ballots are counted, we believe we will win this race,” he said. “We’ve been closing the gap all night, and we have a lot more ballots to go.”
“I have told you many many times that I believe in you. Traveled all over the Commonwealth to make that message clear. Tonight, you have told me that you believe in me. Bless you for that,” Oz added.
Fetterman, noted for his bald head, tattoos, massive physique, and informal dress (hoodies over suits), had developed as a progressive hero in recent years — though he and his aides preferred the label “populist.” He advocated for marital equality, legal marijuana, and second chances for offenders, including those serving the state’s obligatory sentence for second-degree murder, while mayor of the small Pittsburgh-area city of Braddock and then as lieutenant governor. His campaign plan, which he pushed in the final days of the election, included voting to end the Senate filibuster or 60-vote barrier for most legislation.
Fetterman, though, had a stroke only days before winning the May primary, restricting his capacity to campaign for months. Meanwhile, Oz’s Republican supporters spent tens of millions of dollars to paint Fetterman as a soft on crime.
The barrage assisted Oz in regaining control of a campaign that Fetterman had led all summer – by double digits in at least two surveys. Fetterman agreed to only one debate, on Oct. 25, since his speech and auditory processing were impaired by his stroke. His troubles were obvious, raising concerns among Democrats the next day that the performance might turn off voters.
But Fetterman was able to overcome both obstacles.
US Senatorial Candidate for Democrats Wins in Pennsylvania, Defeating TV Personality Doctor Mehmet Oz
