Philly Democrat Endorses Oz for Senate, Says Public Safety More Important Than Party Affiliation

A Philadelphia Democrat has decided to endorse Republican Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race, citing concerns over public safety and crime in his city.

Tom Knox, who once served as deputy mayor under Democrat Ed Rendell, said in a statement obtained by Townhall on Oct. 7 that he is a “lifelong Democrat,” but he had to cross party lines and oppose current Lt. Gov. John Fetterman for Senate.

“I have met with John Fetterman, and I personally like him,” Knox stated. “But I am sad to say, as a resident of Philadelphia, that our city has become increasingly dangerous, and John Fetterman’s policies on crime will make things much worse.”

Philadelphia, with 416 homicides so far in 2022, is on pace to exceed last year’s record of 562 murders.

Knox, who has previously tried to run for the mayor of Philadelphia and the governor of Pennsylvania, criticized Fetterman for what he sees as a soft-on-crime agenda.

“His push as Lieutenant Governor to release more dangerous criminals—after we have already seen a gruesome increase in violent crime—and promote heroin injection sites in our neighborhoods are radical ideas that would make our streets less safe,” Knox added.

Democratic Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman holds a rally with U.S. Congresswomen Madeleine Dean and Mary Gay Scanlon at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2022. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

According to the Republican National Committee, Fetterman advocated for the release of one-third of Pennsylvania’s prisoners at least 11 times in 2020 and 2021.

“I love Philadelphia, and I am saddened by what is happening to it,” Knox continued. “I am encouraging Democrats who share my concerns with Fetterman’s long-standing policies to put party affiliation aside and support Dr. Oz for U.S. Senate.”

Knox added, “Dr. Oz is smart, hard

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