Oz campaign places billboard in Braddock attacking Fetterman for being ‘soft on crime’

The race for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat has been filled with antics and media stunts from Democratic candidate John Fetterman. Now, Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz is getting into the mix by placing an attack billboard in Fetterman’s hometown of Braddock, calling the lieutenant governor and former Braddock mayor “soft on crime.”

The billboard on Braddock Avenue, behind Braddock’s welcome sign, compares Fetterman’s record on crime to toilet paper and a puppy’s fur. It comes as Oz and Republicans have repeatedly attacked Fetterman on crime, criticizing his criminal justice reform efforts and alleging his policies would release hardened criminals into the streets.

“Pennsylvanians are sick and tired of soft-on-crime leaders like John Fetterman whose policies have let down our communities and allowed criminals to run rampant,” Oz campaign spokeswoman Brittany Yanick said in a statement. “John Fetterman is so soft on crime, the Oz campaign thought we would put it in perspective.”

Republicans have said Fetterman’s tenure as Braddock mayor coincided with a rise in crime. According to FBI data, the average violent crime rate during Fetterman’s tenure as Braddock mayor from 2006-18 was about 4.4 annual incidents per 1,000 residents.

The average violent crime rate in Pennsylvania over the same time span was about 3.6 annually per 1,000 people.

However, Fetterman’s last term, from 2015-18, saw an increased violent crime rate of about 7.3 annual incidents per 1,000 residents. Violent crime — which includes aggravated assault, homicide and rape — reached a peak in Braddock in 2017 at 21 incidents.

“Let’s be clear — some things should be soft, but Pennsylvania’s next Senator should NOT be soft on crime,” Yankick said.

Fetterman spokesman Joe Calvello said Fetterman helped to make Braddock safer by confronting gun violence in the small Mon Valley borough, which is home to about 1,700 residents.

He noted that Braddock went over five years without a gun homicide during Fetterman’s tenure as mayor. Calvello said Fetterman worked closely with local police and the community and even showed up at crime scenes to offer help.

Calvello said the Oz campaign is trying to mimic Fetterman’s successful viral campaign strategies. Fetterman recruited celebrities such as Snooki from the Jersey Shore to criticize Oz for moving to New Jersey to run for Senate and mocked Oz for shopping for crudites when trying to make a point about inflation.

“We get that they’re trying to mimic our sense of humor, but it’s just kind of sad to watch. They’re trying, though. Good for them,” Calvello said. “But look, Dr. Oz would not last a second in Braddock. This rich, fancy man lives in a mansion on a hill in New Jersey, what does he know about confronting crime? Nothing. He has no idea and no real solutions.”

Oz and Fetterman will make appearances in Pittsburgh in the coming days. Oz is holding a news event with Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh, on Friday, and Fetterman is holding a rally in the area on Saturday.

The most recent poll from Fox News, taken from Sept. 22-26, has Fetterman leading by four points, with 48% of registered voters backing him and 44% of voters supporting Oz.