Oz will face Democratic Lt. gov. John Fetterman. Republicans see holding on to outgoing GOP Sen. Pat Toomey’s seat as key to their hopes of capturing the Senate majority, while Democrats see flipping seats in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, both states borne by incumbent President Joe Biden in 2020 , as the best way to hedge against losses elsewhere.
“I look forward to continuing my campaign across our great Commonwealth to enlist the support of Pennsylvanians who want someone to oppose the liberal Biden-Fetterman agenda that is leading to higher gas prices, record inflation and unprecedented levels of violent crime ‘ he added.
Oz’s campaign has faced a series of attacks over his repeal of abortion rights, which he once said he supports and now says he opposes, as well as his Turkish citizenship and service in the Turkish military.
While his main bid was bolstered by a backing from Trump, who had championed him days before the election, the Pennsylvania race exposed fractures within the GOP, with the former president backing a candidate seen as more moderate than other contenders.
Beyond the Senate contest, the Commonwealth also hosts a crucial gubernatorial race, pitting Republican Senator Doug Mastriano, who accepted Trump’s lies about the 2020 presidential election, against Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who has defended the state’s election procedures — the winner gets the Power to appoint the secretary of state who will take control of Pennsylvania’s election machinery in time for the 2024 presidential contest.
This story was updated on Wednesday with additional information.
CNN’s Eric Bradner contributed to this report.