The Debate for Senate: Fetterman vs Oz  

By Victoria Scruse – Staff Writer

As November draws closer, the race for Senate is almost coming toward the finish line between Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz as they prepare to debate in October.  

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania native, currently serving as the 39th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania since 2019 is a part of the Democratic Party and currently a nominee for the 2022 Democratic Senate in Pennsylvania.  

Fetterman’s previous work included helping set up the first computer labs in his nearby neighborhood and teaching GED classes to young mothers and fathers.  

Lt. Gov. Fetterman became interested in addressing inequality regarding racial justice, and ending the failed war on drugs, prompting him to become Pennsylvania’s leading voice.  

Oz, known from his show, “The Dr. Oz show,” is an attending physician at New York Presbyterian Columbia Medical Center. He has performed numerous heart operations and invented life-saving devices to repair heart valves while hosting his TV show.  

Oz is a part of the Republican Party and has addressed problematic issues such as policies from Washington taking away Pennsylvania natives the ability to earn a living, safety for all, and those in Congress who only wish to be re-elected. 

Oz’s father’s vision for a better life motivated Oz to create his own show where he communicated difficult conversations to the public and the challenging reality that people act based on how they feel.  

Oz said he feels obliged to run for Senate because the pandemic has led some to believe that medicine has become politicized. This has propelled him to empower fellow Pennsylvanians and Americans to a promising future. 

To win the favor of Pennsylvania natives, Lt. Gov Fetterman, recently joined Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) and Parent Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson.  

Lt. Gov Fetterman’s alliance is primarily to target suburban women.  

“Women are the reason we win,” Lt. Gov Fetterman said.  

Regarding reproductive rights, Oz identifies with pro-life ideology while Lt. Gov. Fetterman is radical on his stance on abortion.  

On the other hand, Oz vouches for inflation, economy, the new implementation of taxes, and wages.  

To hear from our fellow classmates, we interviewed Neal Forlenza, a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Mackenna Percey, also a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience.  

Forlenza believes Lt. Gov. Fetterman has the adequate policies and right mindset to improve while being the best candidate for this new position considering his residency in Pennsylvania. However, Forlenza critiques Oz was lopsided while having no government qualifications or experiences in the political scene.  

Percey thinks Lt. Gov. Fetterman is a promising candidate who has the best intentions for women and all Americans. On the flip side, she questions Oz’s decision to run despite his title and his role as a doctor versus a politician when it comes to women’s reproductive healthcare.  

With that being said: Which candidate do you think would be the best representative of Pennsylvania?