Jason Lange

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz announced Tuesday that he will run a Republican campaign for a U.S. Senate Seat for Pennsylvania. This could shake up one of next year’s most competitive congressional races.

Oz hosts “The Dr. Oz Show,” a syndicated program that brings considerable name recognition to the wide-open Nov. 8-2022 contest, which could decide control of the Senate, and what happens to Democratic President Joe Biden.

Pennsylvania’s 2020 election was won narrowly by Biden, while Republicans did make gains in the legislature. Many observers predict that next year’s election will be close after the retirement of Republican Senator Pat Toomey.

Toomey was one seven Republican senators to vote in favor of Donald Trump’s January impeachment.

Oz became a household name by shocking viewers with his show-and-tell display of rotting livers and decaying lungs. He also told them to take good care of their bodies.

His public image took a blow in 2014, however, when he told https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-senate-oz-idINKBN0ES2RN20140617 lawmakers probing bogus diet product ads that some of the products promoted on his show lacked “scientific muster.” The hearing was focused on green coffee beans extract which Oz referred to as a miracle dietary supplement in 2012.

Oz stated Tuesday that he is running for the Republican nomination as “conservative Republican”. He also described himself as an outstanding surgeon and advocate for health care.

Parnell is entering the race after Trump had endorsed another Republican candidate, Sean Parnell (military veteran), who quit. Parnell quit following allegations that his ex-wife had been subject to domestic abuse. Parnell denied these claims.

Jeff Bartos is a real-estate developer.

The Democrats have a slim majority in Congress, which is preparing for next year’s election. With the Senate split 50-50 between Democrats, Republicans and Vice President Kamala Harris casting tiebreaking votes in support of Biden’s party,

Democrats still have not chosen a candidate to run for the Pennsylvania Senate seat. Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman is a progressive and U.S. Representative Conor Lamb is a moderate. These two are seen as the front-runners in the race for the party nomination.