Oz says he exchanged texts with Fetterman over health
Mehmet Oz wants Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to get better.
Then he wants him to lose in November’s high-stakes race to become Pennsylvania’s new United States senator.
Just over a week since being declared the winner of a razor-thin Republican primary, the celebrity heart doctor visited Luzerne County to attend a fundraiser for state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne, at American Grill & BBQ in Exeter.
In between taking photos with fans, the man known as “Dr. Oz” spoke to reporters. Asked if he’s been in contact with Fetterman since the Democratic nominee suffered a stroke right before the primary, Oz said he had.
“I texted the lieutenant governor and he responded thanking me. I’m praying for him and hope he does well. I don’t have any additional insights into his health, but I am a heart specialist, so I understand why he’s concerned,” Oz said. “My belief is that he’ll be able to serve. My concerns are not whether he’ll be able to serve, it’s what he would do if he was serving because
he’s to the far left of Joe Biden ... That puts him out of sync with what many voters in this part of Pennsylvania think.”
Oz, who captured the
most votes in Luzerne County in May’s GOP primary, thinks he’ll do well in northeast Pennsylvania in the fall, a race many people believe could decide what
party controls the Senate next year.
“The reason I will do well is because the values of conservative Democrats, independents and Republicans
overlap completely this cycle,” Oz said. “In particular, there is a lot of anger about energy prices because a lot of workers — and I heard it today in several different locations — are saying they think that Biden is almost purposely allowing energy prices to go up. They want answers. They want solutions. They want change. They know I will fight for them because I have been fighting my whole life.”
After taking more photos, Oz helped himself to some pulled pork, chicken, baked beans, and coleslaw from the buffet set up at the American Grill & BBQ’s Stockyard, a pavilion behind the main restaurant.
“This is a pretty cool stop,” Oz was heard telling an aide.
About 200 people attended the event. Kaufer said the Oz campaign reached out to him recently and arranged the appearance.
“They wanted to know if he was welcome to come. I said, ‘Of course,’ ” Kaufer said. “We’re happy to welcome him.”