Former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick has yielded to Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate Primary. Mr. McCormick conceded to the Trump-endorsed television personality during an interview on Friday– seventeen days after voters went to the ballot box.
When the recount started, Oz was leading by around 900 votes.
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) June 3, 2022
“With so much at stake, and that margin so razor-thin, we spent the last 17 days making sure that every Republican vote was counted in a way that would result in the will of Pennsylvania voters being fulfilled,” McCormick said during a press conference livestreamed to his social media accounts.
McCormick went on to yield and announce his full support for Oz.
“But it’s now clear to me, with the recount largely complete, that we have a nominee. And today, I called Mehmet Oz to congratulate him on his victory. And I told him what I always said to you, that I will do my part to try to unite Republicans and Pennsylvanians behind his candidacy, behind his nomination, for the Senate.”
“He has my full support,” McCormick said.
McCormick had 418,561 votes in the race as the recount started, Oz had 419,514 votes.
Prior to McCormick’s concession, Oz had actually referred to himself as the “presumptive nominee” on May 27.
“I want to take a moment to express my deep thanks for the great people of Pennsylvania who have joined me so far on this journey and supported my campaign,” Oz said in a video released on Twitter. “I am blessed to have earned the presumptive Republican nomination for the United States Senate.”
It's time to unite. I want to hear your ideas and make this country’s future as bright as it has ever been. With more freedom, less big government, and by empowering our people, America’s light will shine brighter than ever. pic.twitter.com/yWK5VhCk8P
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) May 27, 2022
“I know we’ve got to heal. We’ve got to pull people together again,” he continued. “I will work with anybody who’s got good ideas.”
President Trump seemed to agree the focus was on victory in his endorsement of Dr. Mehmet Oz when he wrote,
“This is all about winning elections in order to stop the Radical Left maniacs from destroying our Country. The Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to Save America by electing the brilliant and well-known Dr. Mehmet Oz for the United States Senate. I have known Dr. Oz for many years, as have many others, even if only through his very successful television show. He has lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart. He even said that I was in extraordinary health, which made me like him even more (although he also said I should lose a couple of pounds!). He is a graduate of Harvard University and earned a joint MD and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton School of Finance. He has authored more than 350 original publications, written 8 New York Times bestsellers, and received patents for developing medical devices that have improved countless lives and performed thousands of life-saving heart operations.”
Oz, has previously been criticized by Republicans like Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his support of Neo-Ottoman, Islamist Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a serious controversy that nearly overcame the political force of Trump’s endorsement.
Pennsylvania’s 67 counties had till 12 P.M. on June 7 to complete their recounts.
Oz will now compete against Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.
H/T Timcast
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) June 3, 2022
