Mason Bennett – News Editor

mxb5302@psu.edu

Pennsylvania Senate candidates John Fetterman, Democratic Lt. Governor, and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former T.V. doctor, faced off on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the only formal debate of the race.

-What qualifies each of you for the position?

F: “I’m running to serve Pennsylvania. I had a stroke, it knocked me down but I’m going to keep coming back up. For me, it’s about fighting for everyone who got knocked down.”

O: “I’m running because Washington keeps getting it wrong with their extreme positions. I want to bring stability and balance to the U.S. Senate.”

-What are your respective plans for cutting down inflation?

O: “I can make the difficult decisions as you do in an operating room as a surgeon, to make sure we aren’t increasing taxes on a population that is already struggling.”

F: “We must push back against corporate greed and price gouging.”

-Do you support raising the federal minimum wage?

F: “I believe all work has dignitity, and every paycheck should reflect that. Everyone should make a living wage and experience economic security.”

O: “We have one of the richest energy states in the country. If we can release the energy beneath our feet, there would be plenty of money to go around.”

-Should abortion be banned in America?

O: “There should not be involvement from the federal government on how states decide how to handle abortion. We should allow states to decide for themselves.”

F: “The choice for abortion should be between a woman and her doctor. I support Roe V. Wade. I believe it should be law.”

-What is your stance on fracking?

O: “Fracking has been demonstrated to be safe. It’s a lifeline for this state to build wealth. For that reason, I strongly support fracking.”

F: “I absolutely support fracking. We need independence with energy.”

-How will you address crime?

F: “I ran as mayor back in 2005 to fight gun violence, and that’s exactly what I did. I’m the only person on this stage that was successful in fighting fun violence.”

O: “I like the fact that background checks are being strengthened now, so people who shouldn’t have guns, don’t get guns. Part of the problem is that we’ve taken away the ability for police to do their job.”

-How will you address illegal immigration?

O: “We have a catastrophy right now at the border and shouldn’t have sanctuary citizens. The complete pourous nature of our border has created a humanitarian crisis.”

F: “I believe that a secure border can be compatible with compassion. We need a comprehensive and bipartisan solution to immigration.”

-Would you support you support your respective party’s candidates, Joe Biden or Donald Trump, should they run in the 2024 election?

O: “I’ll support whoever the Republican party puts up. I want to bring us together; unify and not divide.”

F: “If Biden does choose to run, I will support him, but that’s ultimately his choice.”

-How would you address the increasing cost of college tuition?

O: “The education quality is not better. It’s not right for Americans to foot the build. I would propose more electronic classes; half of students don’t live on campus anyway.”

F: “I believe that every public university should be affordable in every state. There needs to be a significant investment in secondary education.”

-Closing statements

F: “My campaign is all about anyone in Pennsylvania who ever got knocked down and needs to get back up again. My entire career has been based on that pursuit.”

O: “I’m a surgeon, I’m not a politician. We fix big problems by uniting and coming together. If you’re unhappy with where America stands, I’m the candidate for you.”