Dr. Oz Says Pennsylvanians 'Do Not Care Where You're From'

Dr. Mehmet Oz has insisted Pennsylvanians "do not care where you're from", following criticism he is running as GOP Senate candidate for the state despite living in New Jersey until 2020.

The TV personality turned diehard Donald Trump supporter has come under fire over his links to the state from Democratic rival John Fetterman, Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor.

Oz addressed the controversy directly during a campaign stop at a car dealership in York County on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "Pennsylvanians do not care where you're from, they care what you stand for.

"But if you're curious my father as an immigrant came and settled us just south of Philadelphia. I went to med school and business school in Philadelphia, met and married my wife.

"The world that I see is very much based on Pennsylvania values."

The retired surgeon, whose candidacy is backed by Trump, made a similar point during a law enforcement round table in York County.

According to local outlet WGAL News 8, he argued: "The average Pennsylvanian is not concerned about residence.

"They're really worried about inflation and energy prices and the crime that they're witnessing in their cities. Those are issues they're going to vote on in November."

Oz had lived in a multimillion-dollar property by the Hudson River in New Jersey, which he still owns.

His team say he moved into a house in the Philadelphia suburb of Bryn Athyn, owned by his wife's family, in late 2020.

Brittany Yanick, Oz' campaign spokesperson, told ABC News he is staying in the house until another property he bought in Philadelphia is renovated.

Read more Dr. Oz Mocked Over 'Wegners' Groceries, Shopping Habits Dr. Oz Mocked Over 'Wegners' Groceries, Shopping Habits

In a statement she added: "Pennsylvania is his home and where he spends practically all of his time other than necessary out of state travel for fundraising."

Fetterman has been attacking Oz for what he argues is the Republican's loose ties to Pennsylvania, a Senate seat the Democrats are hoping to flip in November.

In July his campaign released a mocking video from Jersey Shore star Nicole LaValle, better known as Snooki.

In the clip, widely shared on social media, she said: "I know you're away from home and you're in a new place, but Jersey will not forget you."

According to ABC News, Fetterman's campaign also paid for a plane to fly over the coast of New Jersey with a banner saying "Hey Dr. Oz! Welcome home to NJ! Love, John."

Controversy has also broken out over comments Oz made at a campaign stop about how many homes he owns.

Video acquired by the Daily Beast showed the GOP candidate saying he has two properties, despite public records showing he has 10.

Oz replied by admitting he does have 10 properties, but only two that he considers "homes" in Pennsylvania.

Addressing Fetterman, he tweeted: "I have 10 properties (disclosed when I announced). 2 homes. My turn: when can we debate?"

Oz has been contacted for comment.

A recent poll by business-union alliance group Pittsburgh Works Together showed Dr. Oz is trailing Fetterman by nearly 20 points.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, named Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as two Senate battles that could lead to the protection of "abortion rights nationwide as early as January".

On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell admitted there is a "greater likelihood" that the House will flip Republican than the Senate in November.