Dr. Val Arkoosh’s campaign for the Pennsylvania Senate seat has gained new momentum following the entry of Dr. Mehmet Oz into the Republican primary, writes Trip Gabriel for The New York Times.

Arkoosh, who is an underdog in the Democratic primary, is a physician in obstetric anesthesiology and Montgomery County’s top-elected official. More recently, she has been trying to pitch herself as an anti-Dr. Oz.

“It really does take a doctor to stand up to a doctor,” said Arkoosh.

As the leader of the Montgomery County board of commissioners, Arkoosh has helped lead a full-bore response to the pandemic. She leans liberal on general issues, including wanting to ban fracking and add public options to the healthcare marketplace.

Meanwhile, Oz, who is registered to vote in Bryn Athyn, is an author, cardiothoracic surgeon, and university professor, who is best known for hosting The Dr. Oz Show until recently. He is well-positioned in the Republican primary to become a front-runner, thanks to his personal wealth and celebrity status.

He is framing his run as a conservative’s response to the pandemic, promising to push back against what he characterizes as governmental overreaches.

Read more about the candidates, Dr. Arkoosh and Dr. Oz, in The New York Times.