Fetterman, Oz face off in chaotic debate

In the only debate of Pennsylvania’s Senate race, Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz battled in a chaotic event where the candidates lobbed countless attacks at each other in between answering questions from the moderators.

Fetterman and Oz squared off for an hour Tuesday night on the WHTM-TV stage in Harrisburg. The debate was shown on Nexstar stations in all of Pennsylvania’s media markets, including WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.

The debate was moderated by WHTM abc27 News anchor Dennis Owens and WPXI anchor Lisa Sylvester, who asked questions about inflation, fracking, the minimum wage, abortion, international relations and crime.

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May and is still facing auditory processing issues, stumbled over words regularly in his answers and dodged questions about past statements made in opposition to fracking. However, Fetterman appeared to hit a stride and speak better when his answers were longer.

Oz spoke frantically, but cohesively, and consistently brought his answers back to attacking Fetterman. On multiple occasions, he attempted to attack Fetterman after moderators wanted to move on to different issues.

The debate featured closed captioning for the candidates, potentially a first for such a large race.

The terms for captioning were agreed upon in advance because Fetterman has temporary auditory processing issues caused by his stroke.

Reporters were not present in the debate room but were watching via video in a separate room. Fetterman campaign spokesman Joe Calvella said the campaign requested that journalists be present in the debate room to monitor the closed-captioning technology, but the Oz campaign blocked that request.

Before the debate, the Fetterman campaign acknowledged Fetterman might fail to pick up on words and that could result in delayed responses. It said a debate “isn’t John’s format,” adding that Fetterman is more successful connecting personally with voters.

Right out of the gate, Fetterman stumbled and said “good night everyone” instead of the typical greeting of “good evening.”

Eventually, Fetterman got his message across and addressed his recovery from his stroke.

“I had a stroke, and he has never let me forget that,” Fetterman said, referencing Oz’s criticism of his fitness.

Fetterman insisted he is prepared for the demands of the Senate as he continues to recover from the stroke. Independent experts consulted by the Associated Press said he appears to be recovering well.

When asked why Fetterman hasn’t released his medical record, he refused to answer, saying instead, “For me, transparency is about showing up.”

Fetterman has consistently rebuffed calls to release medical records or let reporters question his doctors. Last week, he released a note from his primary care physician, who wrote that Fetterman is recovering well, shows no cognitive effects and “can work full duty in public office.”

Oz consistently attacked Fetterman and claimed that his “radical” positions would worsen inflation, crime rates and gas prices.

Oz was the aggressor during the debate, but he also said he would be the candidate of change.

“I am a living embodiment of the American dream,” Oz said. “But just ask yourself this one question: Are you unhappy with where America is heading? I am. And if you are as well, then I am the candidate for change.”

Fetterman raised questions about Oz’s residency, which has been a consistent theme throughout the campaign.

For much of the year, Fetterman has seized on Oz’s connections to Pennsylvania.

Oz was born in Ohio, was raised in Delaware and has lived in New Jersey for decades. In 2020, People magazine ran a feature on the New Jersey mansion that Oz and his wife, Lisa, “built from scratch 20 years ago.”

Later that year, Oz formally adopted a Pennsylvania address. Last year, he launched his Senate campaign.

Oz and Fetterman contrasted on several issues, including abortion and the minimum wage.

Fetterman said he supports reestablishing national rights granted by Roe v. Wade, which was overturned this year by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oz said federal policy shouldn’t be dictating abortion rights and state governments should decide.

“I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that has always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” Oz said.

On the minimum wage, Fetterman said the federal government should increase it to $15 an hour and he would vote to do so.

Oz said market forces have upped wages already, implying he doesn’t support a bill to increase the federal minimum wage. He said to bring wages up more, Pennsylvania should unleash its energy economy.

Both candidates were asked about their contradictory statements about natural gas drilling. In 2013, Oz wrote an article saying fracking should be halted until it could be studied further. In 2018, Fetterman said in an interview he didn’t support fracking.

But both said they support fracking now, and both said they have always supported it. They both dodged questions about their past statements.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.