Oz, Shapiro To Participate In 'Candidate Conversation' Over PA Races

PENNSYLVANIA — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz and Democratic gubernaotiral candidate Josh Shapiro will participate in an event begin called a "candidate conversation" next week as they gear up for the stretch run of their respective races in one of the nation's most contentious battleground states.

The event will be part of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner in Hershey on Monday, Oct. 3.

"They’ll have the opportunity to offer their visions for the future of Pennsylvania; provide their answers to some of the most pressing topics on voters’ minds before the fall elections; and talk about what their policy priorities will be should they win their races on Tuesday, November 8," the Chamber said in a statement describing the event.

Oz and Shapiro's appearances, on their own, make them an odd couple this election season. It might seem likely for Oz to appear with GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, or for Oz to appear with his actual opponent, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, or to debate a major Democratic figure like Shapiro. This event will feature none of the above. The Chamber says Oz and Shapiro will participate in "separate, live conversations" with the crowd as part of a larger, politically-themed event and what organizers called "dynamic point/counterpoint discussion."

Oz, the celebrity doctor who has narrowed his gap behind Fetterman to just 4.4 points, according to average of recent polls aggregated by RealClearPolitics, has been asking his opponent to debate him for months. There are concerns from both sides that Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, may not be fit for the job. The Washington Post ran an op-ed saying that Fetterman must agree to multiple debates; he eventually did agree to one, but with concessions.

"Since returning to the campaign trail, Mr. Fetterman has been halting in his performances," the Washington Post wrote. "He stammers, appears confused and keeps his remarks short. He has held no news conferences...the lingering, unanswered questions about his health, underscored by his hesitation to debate, are unsettling."

Next week's event offers Oz an opportunity to speak to the Democratic platform in "point-counterpoint" fashion, however that winds up looking, but it will effectively be Shapiro standing in for Fetterman in the eyes of attendees and the media.

Details on the event are available online here.