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A new poll in the hard fought Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary shows a near tie between three top candidates, including TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz, who hold former President Donald Trump‘s endorsement.
Dr. Oz barely led the field in a new Monmouth University poll, with 22 per cent in advance of the May 17 primary election. Close behind was David McCormick, who was recruited by party operatives to get into the race, was at 19 per cent.
Kathy Barnette, a conservative political commentator, was at 18 percent, putting the trio in a statistical dead heat.
McCormick stepped in after GOP candidate Scott Parnell pulled out of the race after losing a custody fight with his ex-wife, who had accused him of abuse.
Just like his political benefactor Trump, Oz has become a polarizing figure with high positives and high negatives.
Kathy Barnette, left, Mehmet Oz, and George Bochetto take part in a forum for Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa., Saturday, April 2, 2022. Dr. Oz has the backing of former President Donald Trump
He led among 18 per cent of voters who had a ‘very favorable’ opinion, while also drawing the most with a ‘very unfavorable’ opinion, according to the poll.
‘This is the kind of environment where a number of candidates could emerge as the nominee. Oz has the highest name recognition but also the highest negatives. If McCormick and Oz beat each other up, though, Barnette could realistically end up on top,’ said Patrick Murray, who conducted the poll.
When pollsters tried to push ‘leaners,’ McCormick with with a narrow 51 per cent majority, with Oz at a virtual tie with 48 per cent and Barnette at 37 per cent.
Both Oz and McCormick have lived out of state, with Ohio-born Oz staying close to New York for his TV show after attending the University of Pennsylvania. McCormick lived in Connecticut, and still owns multiple homes out of state.
Three candidates are in a near-tie in a new Monmouth University poll of Republicans in the Pennsylvania Senate race
Hedge funder David McCormick, like Oz, recently moved to the state
Candidate Kathy Barnette could benefit if Oz and McCormick keep trading blows
Each moved back to the state after Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced his retirement. Oz is renting a home belonging to his in-laws.
A narrow 51-per cent majority said they were bothered by Oz’s residency issue.
The poll comes days after Oz and McCormick clashed in a televised multi-candidate debate.
‘The reason Mehmet keeps talking about President Trump’s endorsement is because he can’t run on his own positions and his own record,’ Mr. McCormick said.
‘The problem, doctor, is there’s no miracle cure for flip-flopping, and Pennsylvanians are seeing right through your phoniness and that’s what you’re dealing with and that’s why you’re not taking off in the polls.’
Carla Sands got 9 per cent in the poll, and Jeff Bartos was at 7 per cent.
Source: Daily Mail
