Fetterman loses support in Pennsylvania Senate race after debate performance, poll finds
John Fetterman's lead over Mehmet Oz has shrunk since his debate performance
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman's lead over Republican opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz is shrinking after his turbulent debate performance last week, according to a new poll.
The poll was conducted Oct. 27-30 by USA Today and Suffolk University, and it shows Fetterman maintains a slight edge over Oz, 47%-45%, well within the margin of error of 4.4%.
The USA Today/Suffolk University poll was released the same as a new Fox News poll revealed that half of Pennsylvanians say the Fetterman-Oz debate will be a factor in their vote.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}USA Today conducted another poll in September, which reported Fetterman’s lead at 46%-40%.
FETTERMAN AND OZ SEPARATED BY 1 POINT IN RACE FOR PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR: POLL
Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman speaks to supporters at a "Get Out the Vote" rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 26, 2022. (Branden Eastwood/AFP via Getty Images)
The two candidates squared off in their only debate on Oct. 25. Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, struggled to effectively communicate on multiple occasions and used closed captioning because his ability for auditory processing is still limited.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Of those who watched the debate, more than half of those surveyed (62%) said Oz was the winner, according to the poll. Seventeen percent of those surveyed said Fetterman was the winner.
The poll also found 7% of voters who are supporting other candidates besides Fetterman would have voted for him had he not suffered a stroke.
FETTERMAN SAYS PENNSYLVANIA SENATE ‘DEBATE WASN’T EASY,' BLAMES PERFORMANCE AGAINST OZ ON STROKE
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That 7% is the difference between an easy win and an all-out scramble to win this seat," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
Of those who participated in the survey, 42% said Fetterman is the more moderate of the two candidates and 40% said Oz was.
In September, the poll found Fetterman had a 43%-29% lead with independent voters, but now Oz is leading 43%-32%, according to the poll.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}John Fetterman, left, and Mehmet Oz will go head-to-head in the Pennsylvania Senate election on Nov. 8. (Mark Makela | Nate Smallwood/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
But of those who have already voted, Fetterman is beating Oz 75%-19%, while Oz leads 52%-39% in the group who say they plan to vote but have not.
In the gubernatorial race, the poll found Democrat Josh Shapiro leads Republican Doug Mastriano, 52%-40%.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mastriano is supported by 70% of Republicans, and Shapiro has support from 15% of Republicans. Oz, on the other hand, has the backing of nine of 10 Republicans, according to the poll.