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Oprah endorses Fetterman for U.S. Senate

Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Oprah Winfrey is weighing in on Pennsylvania’s race for U.S. Senate. The talk show host and entertainment entrepreneur has endorsed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman over Dr. Mehmet Oz.

During a town hall Thursday with members from OWN Your Vote Coalition, Winfrey said if she lived in Pennsylvania, she’d vote for Fetterman.

“There are clear choices and some dynamic candidates who are working to represent the values that so many of us hold dear — like inclusion, compassion and community,” said Winfrey, according to her news platform, Oprah Daily. “So I ask that voters use discernment and choose wisely for the democracy of our country.”

Winfrey’s endorsement is garnering so much attention because she is credited with helping to launch Oz’s TV career. He regularly appeared on Winfrey’s talk show before launching “The Dr. Oz Show.”

Fetterman latched onto the endorsement almost immediately.

“It is an honor and privilege to have Oprah’s support in this race,” Fetterman said in a release. “She is a leader on so many issues — fighting for our democracy, passing common-sense gun reform, and ensuring racial justice.”

Oz has not directly responded to Winfrey’s endorsement, but his campaign released a statement that said, in part, “Dr. Oz loves Oprah and respects the fact they have different politics.”

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