Dave McCormick and Mehmet Oz will skip a debate among candidates running for the Pennsylvania GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
Oz’s campaign cited a “scheduling conflict” when informing the host of his intended absence. Initially, McCormick agreed to participate in the debate.
However, after learning that Oz would not participate, McCormick’s campaign pulled back, telling Fox News that the candidate “is looking forward to debating. Hopefully Mehmet will confirm a day and time soon.”
According to a recent poll, Oz and McCormick are the two frontrunners for the nomination. In the Trafalgar Group survey, Oz collected 27.4% of the support, compared to McCormick’s 15.9%. Carla Sands, Kathy Barnette, and Jeff Bartos all trailed the two leaders.
The survey spoke to 1,070 likely GOP voters and contained a 2.99 percent margin of error.
Bartos took advantage of the decision, blasting the two individuals for their lack of participation and highlighting their ties to other states.
“Perhaps if we hosted the debate in New Jersey or Connecticut the commute would be a little easier for @DrOz and @DaveMcCormickPA. Anyways, I’ll be there because unlike my out-of-state opponents I always have and I always will show up for the people of Pennsylvania,” he said in a tweet.
Perhaps if we hosted the debate in New Jersey or Connecticut the commute would be a little easier for @DrOz and @DaveMcCormickPA 🤷♂️
Anyways, I’ll be there because unlike my out-of-state opponents I always have and I always will show up for the people of Pennsylvania. https://t.co/4NZVFifciZ
— Jeff Bartos (@jeff_bartos) February 17, 2022
“Have you seen these men? Their names’ [sic] Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick. Last known whereabouts anywhere but Pennsylvania,” a new ad from the contender says. Furthermore, the video adds that “both promised to debate but now they’re MIA. Why are Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick hiding from us?”
The crowded primary field has allowed all candidates to remain relatively close. Former President Donald Trump has not weighed in on the race, after his preferred candidate dropped out of the race.
However, that candidate, Sean Parnell, endorsed McCormick.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “David McCormick” by David McCormick. Photo “Mehmet Oz” by Mehmet Oz.
