Pa. FOP endorses Oz in U.S. Senate race, ‘He wants to hold criminals accountable’

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz’s campaign got a boost on Wednesday when he received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police.

During a campaign swing through Erie, Oz dropped in on the PA FOP’s conference and accepted the endorsement of a group that represents 40,000 active and retired members.

In a statement released by his campaign, Oz said he was honored to have the FOP’s endorsement.

“We owe each and every officer who bravely serves our deepest thanks,” said Oz.

“Throughout my career as a cardiothoracic surgeon, I operated on brave police officers who were injured in the line of duty,” he said. “And as Pennsylvania’s next U.S. senator, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement for safer streets and stronger bonds in communities across Pennsylvania.”

PA FOP President Les Neri said his organization was proud to endorse Oz.

“He’s the candidate who will ensure police officers have the tools they need to protect the commonwealth, especially during these dangerous times,” Neri said.

“Like us, he wants to see that criminals are held accountable,” said Neri. “At a time when being a police officer is as dangerous as ever, Dr. Oz cares about Pennsylvania’s police officers and their families. We look forward to working with him here at home and in Washington, D.C.”

Oz also used the endorsement to again hammer Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. John Fetterman for his efforts to reduce the state’s inmate population and decriminalize certain drugs.

It has become a consistent attack from Oz, who is trailing in polling, to portray Fetterman as too liberal on criminal justice issues.

As lieutenant governor, Fetterman is chairman of the state board of pardons and has lobbied for prison and sentencing reform. He also supports recreational marijuana.

The PA FOP’s endorsement comes a week after 13 county sheriffs sent Fetterman a letter asking him to denounce his past statements on decriminalizing drugs, demilitarizing police, releasing one-third of state inmates, and endorsing Philadelphia District Larry Krasner, a frequent target of Republicans.

Signees on the letter included sheriffs from Dauphin, York, Cumberland and Lebanon counties.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.