All across the nation, the Republicans’ predicted “red wave” failed to come crashing in the 2022 Midterm Elections. Pennsylvania proved to be a particularly devastating loss for the Republicans as Democrats won key races across the battleground state.
In the contested Senate race, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman defeated TV doctor Mehmet Oz for the open seat. Just after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Fetterman tweeted announcing his victory over the Republican candidate. The following morning, Oz promptly conceded to Fetterman and wished him well in his role as Senator.
The Trump-backed nominee gave the Senate race notable media attention due to his previous presence on national television (with appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and his own health-centered talk show). The race remained a point of national conversation with Fetterman’s life-threatening incident before the Pennsylvania primary.
Fetterman suffered a stroke just days before the primary in May, which forced the uncharacteristic candidate to adjust his campaign strategy. Oz and the Republicans used Fetterman’s stroke to their advantage, criticizing his health and abilities.
Fetterman’s campaign successfully flipped a Republican-held seat by attracting the white working-class vote. This vote had appeared as lost to Democrats as the demographic largely voted for Trump in 2016. Fetterman regained the white working-class vote with his relaxed style and relevant priorities like marijuana legalization.
Despite the stroke and political criticisms, Fetterman made a full recovery in health and in the polls, winning the election with 51% of the vote. Fetterman’s victory is a crucial win for Democrats as they hold control of the Senate despite predictions of a Republican reversal.
In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in a sweeping majority with a 14 percentage point margin. Shapiro has served two terms as Pennsylvania’s attorney general under the current governor, Tom Wolf.
Like many Democrats running in the Midterm Elections, Shapiro heavily campaigned on protecting the right to an abortion and the fight against crime. Shapiro successfully framed Mastriano as an extremist and emphasized Pennsylvanians’ right to vote and unionize.
Nearly five days after Election Day, on Nov. 13, Mastriano finally conceded to Shapiro. A staunch election denier and Trump supporter, Mastriano’s delay was of no significance to Shapiro.
“[Mastriano] doesn’t get to pick the winner, the people pick the winner,” said Shapiro.