John Fetterman returns to Pittsburgh for first time since suffering stroke

PITTSBURGH — Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman made an appearance in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, his first visit to the area since he suffered a stroke in May.

Fetterman appeared with other local and statewide candidates at a rally at the United Steelworkers International Headquarters downtown.

He also picked up a key endorsement from one of the state’s largest labor unions.

In only his second appearance at a big rally since May, Fetterman appeared at ease but deliberate, stumbling at times.

He never mentioned his health during his six-minute speech, but promised to fight for union workers.

“Are you going to stand with the union way of life or are you going to try to destroy the union way of life?,” Fetterman said. “There is no doubt I’m going to come down and stand with the union way of life.”

Fetterman, who lives across from a steel plant in Braddock, then went after his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

“Of the 10 homes Dr. Oz has, do you think any of them have a steel plant across from any of them?,” he said.

Oz has raised questions about Fetterman’s health, calling out Fetterman for not yet agreeing to any of the five proposed debates.

“If John is too sick to debate and is concerned he cannot stand in front of cameras for more than 10 minutes, then he should just say so. We’re sure voters would understand and so would we,” said an Oz campaign spokesperson.

After the rally, 11 News asked Fetterman about his health and if he plans to debate Oz. He declined comment and walked away from our camera.

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