PA Election Results: Oz calls Fetterman to concede

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Dr. Mehmet Oz called John Fetterman to concede in the Pennsylvania Senate race. Oz released a statement on Wednesday morning.

This morning I called John Fetterman and congratulated him. I wish him and his family all the best, both personally and as our next United States Senator. Campaigning throughout our great Commonwealth was the honor of a lifetime, and I will cherish the memories and the people I met. Pennsylvanians showed up with passion and a vision for a bright future that I found inspiring every day. I want to thank my supporters, so many of whom worked tirelessly to spread our message and support me and my family.

“We are facing big problems as a country and we need everyone to put down their partisan swords and focus on getting the job done. With bold leadership that brings people together, we can create real change. As a Doctor, I always do my best to help others heal. That’s why I ran for Senate. I hope we begin the healing process as a nation soon.

Fetterman’s director of communications Joe Calvello first announced Oz conceded in a Tweet Wednesday. 

“This morning at 9:30 Dr. Oz called John Fetterman to concede,” Calvello tweeted. 

Oz’s concession comes as Fetterman has been named the projected winner in one of the country’s most contentious Senate races. The U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania has been one of the most watched races in the entire country. 

At last check, live results showed Democrat John Fetterman leading Republican Mehmet Oz with about 93% of the vote being counted.

Abortion may have been the key issue in this race, according to CBS News’ polling unit. Pennsylvania is one of the only Senate battleground states where abortion tops inflation as the most important issue for voters. 

Dr. Oz made a comment during the debate that local elected officials should be involved in abortion decisions, while Fetterman has been unapologetically pro-choice. 

His supporters celebrated at his headquarters in Pittsburgh. 

As CBS News made the projection around 1 a.m. Wednesday, with about 90% of the state’s vote in, Fetterman tweeted: “It’s official. I will be the next U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. We bet on the people of Pennsylvania – and you didn’t let us down  And I won’t let you down. Thank you.” 

He followed up that tweet by thanking some of his supporters in person late in the night.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz spoke to an audience at his campaign headquarters in Bucks County prior to the race being called. He thanked his supporters and did not concede. 

More than $300 million was spent on this race, making it the most expensive Midterm Election for a U.S. Senate seat ever. 

Across the rest of the country, some Senate races are too close to call. 

And in terms of which party will have majority control, CBS News has characterized control of the Senate as a toss-up and House control leaning Republican. Follow this live blog for updates. 

To view the full 2022 Midterm Election results in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, click here.