NEWTON, Pa. (Fwrd Axis) — John Fetterman defeated celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania senate race on Tuesday, helping the Democrats flip a key seat and putting an end to one of the nastiest races of the 2022 cycle.
Fetterman will succeed Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican who retired rather than seek another term. The race was called just after 1 a.m ET with the state lieutenant governor leading by two percent with 93 percent of the vote in.
“It’s official. I will be the next U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania,” Fetterman said in a tweet. “We bet on the people of Pennsylvania — and you didn’t let us down. And I won’t let you down. Thank you.”
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.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) November 9, 2022
Fetterman spoke to the crowd at his victory party, overwhelmed with emotion, and thanked the crowd and the state for supporting him.
“This race is for the future of every community all across Pennsylvania. For every small town or person that ever felt left behind,” he said. The win is also a victory for progressive politics as several Democrats won their seats in the House and Senate including Fetterman.
Oz’s victory party at the local high school gym fizzled out after the results were projected. However, the celebrity doctor expressed hope that he can still be declared the winner of the race.
“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,” Oz added. “Traveled all over the commonwealth to make that message clear. Tonight, you have told me that you believe in me. Bless you for that.”
Fetterman’s win came despite health scares. Back in May, he suffered a stroke just days before the primary. That left Oz to use that as a weapon against him, saying Fetterman was not healthy enough to become a senator.
