November surprise: Oprah backs Fetterman

Nov. 5—Oprah Winfrey delivered a huge "November Surprise" Thursday night and endorsed John Fetterman's U.S. Senate campaign at a virtual GOTV event, saying, "If I lived in Pennsylvania, I would have already cast my vote for John Fetterman for many reasons."

The endorsement is especially critical given Oprah's close and well-documented relationship over the years with Fetterman's opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

"Oprah knows Dr. Oz well and is widely credited with helping launch Oz's TV career," stated a news release from the Fetterman campaign. "Oz has also repeatedly called Oprah his mentor and had previously urged Oprah to stay out of the race."

Oprah stated, "There are clear choices out there, and some to represent the values we hold dear, the values of inclusion, and the compassion that we all share. So use your discernment and choose wisely for the democracy of our country."

Fetterman said, "It is an honor and privilege to have Oprah's support in this race. She is a leader on so many issues — fighting for our democracy, passing common-sense gun reform, and ensuring racial justice. I'm grateful for Oprah's support and trust on the issues that matter to people across the country and Pennsylvania as we close out this campaign."

Oprah's endorsement of Fetterman comes days after another mentor of Oz — chief of cardiac surgery at Columbia University's medical program, Dr. Eric Rose — spoke out against the TV doctor turned Senate candidate.

Dr. Rose, who was close with Oz for years, told the Washington Post that he refused Oz's recent request to publicly rebuke claims that Oz mistreated and killed puppies in his lab. Dr. Rose also told the Post that he was supporting Fetterman.

"What a brutally tough week for Doc Hollywood," said Fetterman Campaign Spokesperson Joe Calvello. "On Tuesday it was Dr. Rose, who launched his career in medicine, and last night it was Oprah, who launched his career on TV. One by one, the people who know Oz best are coming out against him and making clear that he should not serve in the United States Senate. This is a devastating rebuke of Dr. Oz."

Fetterman appears on 'The View'

"I'm running to serve Pennsylvania... he's using Pennsylvania"

Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman on Friday joined The View for a live interview about the state of the race, the economy, abortion rights, and other issues important to Pennsylvania voters in the final few days of the race.

Fetterman also talked about last night's critical endorsement from Oprah Winfrey and the surging momentum behind his campaign.

"I'm running to serve Pennsylvania. I've made a long career of serving Pennsylvania. I believe Dr. Oz is essentially just kind of using Pennsylvania," said Fetterman during the segment. "I want to fight for every person in Pennsylvania that ever got knocked down and had to get back up and any forgotten community that got knocked down and has to be built back up."

"It's important to remind everyone that inflation is a tax on working people," said Fetterman on inflation. "And I think to really fully understand how to fight inflation you have to understand how it works and how it impacts working people as well. I fundamentally believe Dr. Oz doesn't really understand that. But I do believe that it's critical that we step up and fight against corporate greed and price gouging.

Fetterman was also asked about the role abortion is playing in the race and Oz's disastrous "local political leaders" answer at the debate. Fetterman responded: "As a 'local political official' myself, it's not my choice. I've always believed that the choice belonged between a woman and their doctor."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.