John Fetterman, Mehmet Oz.Photo: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bonnie Biess/Getty
In the only debate of the closely watched Pennsylvania Senate race on Tuesday night, Republican candidate Dr.Mehmet Ozsaid women, doctors and “local political leaders” should decide whether a woman can obtain an abortion.
The comment cameduring a testy exchangewhile facing his opponent, Lt. Gov.John Fetterman, 53, with whom he clashes with on an array of issues.
“I want women, doctors, local political leaders letting the democracy that always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so that states can decide for themselves,” Oz, 62, said.
PEOPLE reached out to Oz’s campaign for comment, but a spokesperson told NBC News that the former talk show host is “pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.”
Fetterman, meanwhile, said his campaign “would fight forRoe v. Wade.”
The evening marked the first time the Democrat had appeared in such a forum sincesuffering a stroke five months ago, which he acknowledged at the start of the debate.
“Let’s also talk about the elephant in the room: I had a stroke,” Fetterman said, and then added of Oz, “He’ll never let me forget that.”
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Two closed-captioning monitors displayed moderators' questions and the candidates' answers in an allowance both parties agreed to prior to the debate,according toThe New York Times.
The candidates also tackled other issues, including crime, with Oz seizing on Fetterman as a “soft-on-crime liberal” who lived off his parents until he was in his 40s, per the outlet.
Also during the debate Tuesday, theMAGA-supporting celebrity doctortried to distance himself from the notion of being an “extreme” candidate. “Washington keeps getting it wrong with extreme positions: I want to bring civility, balance,” said Oz, who won his primary largelydue to an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
The race is one of the most talked-about of the 2022 midterms, anda central battleground for control of the Senate.
Throughout the race, Fetterman has portrayed Oz as an outsider — awealthy New Jerseyanwho has tried to use Pennsylvania voters to propel him further into the spotlight. Oz’sown actionshave only supported Fetterman’s point, as viral moment after viral moment pop up reminding Pennsylvanians of hisquestionable pastandlack of familiaritywith the Keystone State.
Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty
But Fetterman, who had a strong advantage in the race at the beginning, has seen his wide lead slowly shrink in recent weeks as the election draws near.
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Oz, whonearly tied with his top Republican challengerin the GOP primary earlier this year, hopes to overcome the slew of negative press and continue soaring on the wings of Trump’s endorsement.
He hasmade Fetterman’s health a central focusof the campaign, which appears to have worked to some extent — despite Fetterman’s insistence that he’son the road to full recovery— but hasn’t been enough to give him the upper hand.
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source: people.com
