The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that billionaire and daytime talk show legend Oprah Winfrey weighed in on Pennsylvania’s Senate race last week to endorse Democratic candidate John Fetterman over his Republican opponent.
However, it remains unclear if Winfrey’s endorsement will play any role in changing the race’s outcome.
According to the Inquirer, Winfrey expressed support for Fetterman on Thursday during an online pre-election discussion.
“I said it was up to the citizens of Pennsylvania … but I will tell you all this, if I lived in Pennsylvania, I would have already cast my vote for John Fetterman for many reasons,” the paper quoted her as saying over Zoom.
”There are clear choices out there … to represent the values — this is what we’re talking about — the values we hold dear,” she added.
“The values of inclusion, the values of compassion … that so many of us share, so use your discernment,” Winfrey insisted. She concluded by telling voters to “[u]se your discernment and choose wisely for the democracy of our country.”
The Inquirer noted how for his part, Fetterman expressed warm words of praise for Winfrey in a statement, saying that it was “an honor and privilege to have Oprah’s support in this race.”
“She is a leader on so many issues — fighting for our democracy, passing common-sense gun reform, and ensuring racial justice,” the candidate continued.
“I’m grateful for Oprah’s support and trust on the issues that matter to people across the country and Pennsylvania as we close out this campaign.”
Stroke negatively impacted Fetterman’s debate performance
Fetterman remains in a tight race against Republican Senate nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz, with a polling aggregate published by FiveThirtyEight showing the two candidates within less than half a point of each other.
The two faced off in a televised debate last month, with even many liberal observers conceding that Fetterman’s performance suffered due to his having suffered a stroke earlier this year.
The night included several bizarre moments, including one in which Fetterman began shouting off-camera about Social Security as Oz attempted to make his closing remarks.