Republican Mehmet Oz has called Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) to concede the Senate race, according to Fetterman’s campaign.
Joe Calvello, Fetterman’s communications director, tweeted that Oz called Fetterman at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday after most major news outlets called the race for Fetterman early Wednesday morning.
Oz later said in a statement that he wished Fetterman and his family the best personally and as Pennsylvania’s next senator. He thanked his supporters and said he hopes the country begins a healing process to come together.
“We are facing big problems as a country and we need everyone to put down their partisan swords and focus on getting the job done,” he said. “With bold leadership that brings people together, we can create real change.”
Polls showed the race was one of the most competitive in the country, and Republicans had hoped that Oz’s victory could deny a Democratic pickup opportunity and help the GOP seal a majority in the body.
Oz closed in on Fetterman’s lead in the polls as Election Day approached, but Fetterman was able to hold on to win by likely a few percentage points.
Democrats’ victory in the seat that has been held by the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R) is a key pickup in the party’s path to holding their slim majority in the Senate.
Updated 11:44 a.m.