Dr. Mehmet Oz, the superstar coronary heart surgeon greatest often known as the host of TV’s Dr. Oz Present, is planning to run for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat as a Republican, in line with two individuals conversant in his plans.
Ought to Oz run, he would convey his unmatched identify recognition and wealth to a wide-open race that’s anticipated to among the many nation’s best and will decide management of the Senate in subsequent yr’s election.
Oz — a longtime New Jersey resident — would enter a Republican subject that’s resetting with an inflow of candidates and a brand new alternative to enchantment to voters loyal to former President Donald Trump, now that the candidate endorsed by Trump has simply exited the race.
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Oz, 61, in current days has advised associates and Republicans in Pennsylvania of his plans, in line with the 2 individuals who spoke to The Related Press. One individual was advised by Oz instantly, whereas the opposite was briefed on a separate dialog. Each individuals spoke on situation of anonymity to debate personal conversations.
Publicly, Oz has solely stated by way of a TV present spokesperson that he had acquired encouragement to run.
The announcement may come Tuesday evening on Sean Hannity’s present on Fox Information, which Hannity previewed by saying that Oz would seem on it and that “he has an enormous announcement. Trace: suppose midterm election.”
As one of many nation’s greatest presidential electoral prizes, Pennsylvania put Democrat Joe Biden excessive in final yr’s election. His 1 proportion level victory put the swing state again in Democratic palms after Trump received it much more narrowly in 2016.
Oz could have to elucidate why he isn’t working for workplace in New Jersey, the place he has lived for the previous twenty years earlier than he started voting in Pennsylvania’s elections this yr by absentee poll, registered to his in-laws’ handle in suburban Philadelphia.
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His longtime house is above the Hudson River in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, overlooking Manhattan, the place he movies his TV present and practices drugs. Oz grew to become a family identify after gaining fame as a visitor on Oprah Winfrey’s present.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
