Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz has called Democrat John Fetterman to concede Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race on Wednesday morning.
It comes after most mainstream forecasters called the race in favor of Fetterman by early Wednesday morning. Data showed that by Wednesday, Fetterman had 50.3 percent of the vote to Oz’s 47.3 percent.
“This morning I called John Fetterman and congratulated him. I wish him and his family all the best, both personally and as our next United States Senator. Campaigning throughout our great Commonwealth was the honor of a lifetime, and I will cherish the memories and the people I met,” said Oz, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, in a statement. “Pennsylvanians showed up with passion and a vision for a bright future that I found inspiring every day. I want to thank my supporters, so many of whom worked tirelessly to spread our message and support me and my family.”
Oz added that after the election, “we are facing big problems as a country and we need everyone to put down their partisan swords and focus on getting the job done.”
“With bold leadership that brings people together, we can create real change,” said Oz, who spent years as a daytime television show host. “As a Doctor, I always do my best to help others heal. That’s why I ran for Senate. I hope we begin the healing process as a nation soon.”
Republicans performed more poorly than anticipated across the United States as some toss-up races broke in favor of Democrats. The GOP was widely forecast to retake the House of Representatives but it’s now unclear whether they will, although House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) declared victory. The Senate is still a toss-up, while the race in Georgia is likely heading to a runoff next month between Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Republican candidate Herschel Walker.
A recent stroke victim who had to use closed-captioning technology in a debate against Oz, Fetterman is currently Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor. Before that, he served as the mayor of Braddock, a city located near Pittsburgh, for more than a decade.
“It’s official. I will be the next U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania,” said Fetterman after midnight on Wednesday. “We bet on the people of Pennsylvania ... and you didn’t let us down. And I won’t let you down. Thank you.”
Also in Pennsylvania, Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro declared victory in the race for governor. He was running against Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano.
