GROVE CITY, Pa. — From the grandiose auditorium on the campus of Grove City College about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh, the five leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania — Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick included — debated on Wednesday evening.
During the hourlong debate, Mr. Oz faced criticism numerous times for his conservative bonafides — or lack thereof — from his opponents.
Mr. McCormick labeled him a Hollywood liberal who has flip-flopped on all the big issues. Mr. Oz responded, “Desperate Dave, dishonest again,” and insisted that these are the words of insiders scared of what his movement represents.
Conservative commentator Kathy Barnette, who has positioned herself as an alternative to the pair of front-runners who have absorbed most of the time on the airwaves, said that she’s the true conservative in the race.
Businessman Jeff Bartos said Republicans can’t trust two out-of-staters — Mr. Oz and Mr. McCormick — to win such an important seat, but someone who knows Pennsylvania’s main streets.
The debate was broadcast live on Newsmax TV, the station of the debate’s sponsor. Newsmax will carry a rebroadcast this weekend, according to organizers.
Longtime newscaster Greta Van Susteren moderated the debate alongside KDKA radio anchor Rick Dayton.
This may have been the last time Mr. Oz and Mr. McCormick, the two front-runners, debate on the same stage before the May 17 primary, and it comes as the other three contenders try to position themselves as viable alternatives.
The last time these candidates debated, Mr. Oz repeatedly boasted about receiving the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, while Mr. McCormick sought to label the cardiothoracic surgeon and former daytime TV host a flip-flopper on key issues.
Tonight’s debate was the first major U.S. Senate debate — of either political party — since Politico reported this week that the Supreme Court appeared to be leaning toward voting to overturn Roe v. Wade in a draft majority opinion leaked to the outlet.
Every main Republican candidate for U.S. Senate has said they’d support various measures restricting abortion access. They reaffirmed their commitment to the pro-life movement again on the debate stage.
