Trump-backed Dr Oz wins Republican primary for Senate race in Pennsylvania

Wellness celebrity Mehmet Oz has positioned himself as a champion of the former US president’s populist ‘America First’ agenda

Pennsylvania is crucial to Republican hopes of regaining control of a Senate now narrowly held by US President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party

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Pennsylvania Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz holds his phone to the microphone as former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event. Photo: Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

Published: 9:17am, 4 Jun 2022

Former hedge fund executive David McCormick conceded to wellness celebrity Mehmet Oz on Friday in the Republican primary race for a US Senate seat in Pennsylvania, following a recount and securing another Donald Trump-endorsed candidate in a critical midterm election.

Oz, who will square off against Democrat John Fetterman in the November 8 midterm election to replace retiring Republican Senator Pat Toomey, won by a margin of 916 votes, according to Edison Research.

The race is crucial to Republican hopes of regaining control of a Senate now narrowly held by US President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party.

“I will do my part to try to unite Republicans and Pennsylvanians behind his candidacy, behind his nomination for the Senate,” McCormick said in conceding to Oz.

Oz secured 419,643 votes versus 418,727 for McCormick, according to Edison Research.

Trump has endorsed more than 190 candidates in the midterm contests, trying to solidify his status as the Republican Party kingmaker. His picks have not always prevailed.