Dr. Oz campaign part of subtle shift in Muslim American voting patterns

Republican Senatorial candidate Mehmet Oz faces an uphill battle as he closes on Democratic rival John Fetterman for the title of next senator of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Yet, Oz’s surprise victory in the Republican primary and his strong showing in the campaign also signal a subtle political shift—many Muslim Americans are increasingly voting Republican. 

“Mehmet is a Sufi Muslim who doesn't seem focused on his religion. It’s interesting it’s not an issue with many,” said Bill Collier in an interview with ReligionUnplugged.com. “He may as well be an agnostic. It has never featured in his TV show and seems to have no impact on his politics.”

The son of Turkish immigrants, Oz would be the highest-elected Muslim in US history. Oz has rarely talked about his faith on the campaign trail unless asked. When he does speak about it, he often emphasizes that he is a “secular Muslim.”