October 28, 2022 at 10:00:00 PM
Talia Curtler '23 and Catherine Orders '23
It seems odd to write an article about a candidate you do not necessarily support. However, NEWS is NEWS, and all sides of the spectrum must be diligently reported, especially as it relates to the interesting Senate race happening in Pennsylvania. John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz are going head to head in the Pennsylvanian general election for Senate, and while questions have arisen about Oz’s qualifications for the job, our research has yielded even more interesting answers.
The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the National Report Card, was recently released, revealing that almost all facets of educational quality dropped drastically in 49 out of 50 states (Pennsylvania included). Language, reading comprehension, science, and especially math have all suffered as a result of the COVID pandemic. However, Oz comes equipped with real-world solutions. Oz’s campaign stresses the importance of teaching financial literacy in public schools. His devised curriculum, as well as the fact that he is a professor emeritus at Columbia University, educated at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrates Oz’s commitment to education.
Oz obviously has no shortage of education himself. He is a distinguished heart surgeon who has invented life-saving devices in order to repair heart valves. While his skills as a doctor do not directly translate into lawmaking, his care and dedication to his patients reflect a care for people and attention to detail that is essential in government.
The race has raised many questions and concerns about Oz’s residency (he only recently moved to Pennsylvania from New Jersey); the doctor has already done a lot to help the local community. HealthCorps is Oz’s nonprofit that provides health education and healthcare to underprivileged communities in Pennsylvania.
Fetterman also has his flaws. He is known to be a “light worker,” with many of his workdays during his time as Lt. Governor consisting of just a couple of hours of work. While Oz may not be the most conventional choice for Senator, his diverse perspective is not limited by small-town Pennsylvania. How he advanced so far in the race is a mystery to most, surpassing other more traditional Republican candidates like Dave McCormick and Kathy Barnette. In short, we are in for an interesting election.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the authors. If you are eligible, please vote on November 8.