OnPolitics: Could this Senate race be a warning sign for Democrats?

Thursday, September 29

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, speaks a campaign event, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at Stephenson Equipment in Harrisburg, Pa. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP) ORG XMIT: PAHAP304

Early in the summer, Fetterman held a nearly double-digit lead over his GOP opponent. But in the last month, Dr. Oz has been catching up in the polls.

Greetings, OnPolitics readers!

It's Amy here, taking a look at one of the most competitive races of this year's midterm elections.

The race for Pennsylvania's open U.S. Senate this year was once considered Democratic nominee John Fetterman's to lose. However, his GOP opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz has slowly been coming back in the polls.

Congressional reporter Candy Woodall has been following this race closely, and she has an idea of how the Donald Trump-endorsed celebrity doctor may come out on top this November. She writes:

From being trolled by Fetterman on social media over referring to a supermarket veggie tray as "crudités," Oz has now attracted millions of dollars from national political action committees.

He has a barrage of ads running against his opponent, has the media joining him in asking for the Democrat's health records and has effectively cut Fetterman's lead to a few points – within the margin of error.

Early in the summer, Fetterman held a nearly double-digit lead over his Republican opponent and was on track to help Senate Democrats secure their majority. But in the last month, Oz has surged in spending and favorability and eroded Fetterman's lead to 3 points, according to a new Franklin & Marshall Poll out Thursday.

"It was like Fetterman was running unopposed over the summer," said Berwood Yost, director of Franklin & Marshall's Center for Opinion Research. "That has changed. Oz is challenging his crime record, and the messaging is working."

🗳️ A larger trend?:HoDr. Oz tightened Pa. Senate race with Fetterman. Is it a warning sign for Democrats?

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