Dr. Mehmet Oz Announces Bid For U.S. Senate As A Republican

Television talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz announced on Tuesday that he is running for Pennsylvania’s open United States Senate seat as a Republican in 2022.

Oz released a minute-long campaign ad on YouTube that will begin airing on television on Friday and clearly targets a right-wing audience. In it, Oz assails Covid-19 vaccine mandates as violations of individual freedom, suggests that the United States is a “divine” nation, and boasts that his experience as a surgeon gives him moral authority over other people.

“My parents came to America to find a better life, and they did. I attended great universities, raised a family, and became a successful surgeon. I invented a heart valve that saves thousands of lives. Then, I started a TV show to advocate for you taking control of your health, and took on the medical establishment to argue against costly drugs and skyrocketing medical bills. But Covid has shown us that our system is broken. We lost too many lives, too many jobs and too many opportunities because Washington got it wrong,” Oz said. “They took away our freedom without making us safer and tried to kill our spirit and our dignity. As a heart surgeon, I know how precious life is. Pennsylvania needs a conservative who will put America first, one who can reignite our divine spark, bravely fight for freedom and tell it like it is. That’s why I’m running for Senate. I’m Dr. Oz and I approve this message.”

Watch below:

Despite Oz’s lack of political experience, his status as a known brand and talk show superstar could give him a substantial edge over the other candidates.

Last week, Sean Parnell, the Republican hopeful who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, suspended his campaign after a family court judge awarded Laurie Snell, the mother of Parnell’s kids from whom he is separated, primary physical custody and sole legal custody of their three children.

That makes Oz the GOP’s frontrunner. If he wins his party’s nomination, he will likely square off against John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s popular Democratic lieutenant governor and party frontrunner, or Rep. Conor Lamb (D). Fetterman has already raised approximately $10 million in 2021 alone.