Sen. John Fetterman Faces Growing Isolation Among Pennsylvania Democrats

Around two years ago, Sen. John Fetterman was one of the most sought-after surrogates on the campaign trail, traveling across Pennsylvania to rally voters for Democrats in local, state, and federal contests.

Now, after two years of repeatedly clashing with fellow Democrats and supporting key priorities of President Donald Trump, he is completely absent from the stump.

No Democratic candidate in the state wants to appear alongside him. His approval ratings are now substantially higher among Republicans than among Democrats. Meanwhile, a shadow primary is taking form for his Senate seat in 2028, regardless of whether he chooses to run for reelection.

Fetterman has acknowledged his growing isolation within the party, driven by his steadfast support for Israel’s war in Gaza and his public criticism of left-wing candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

On Capitol Hill, he has repeatedly charted his own course, siding with Republicans to end last year’s government shutdown, backing several of Trump’s nominations, and opposing measures aimed at ending the war in Iran.

Even so, Fetterman maintains he has no intention of switching party affiliation, citing his commitment to labor unions, LGBT rights, and other core progressive causes.

"I’m not going to be a Republican, but I’m going to be a Democrat that’s going to have a conversation with whoever is playing it straight," Fetterman told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Requests for comment sent to Fetterman’s office and his political adviser were not returned.

Democratic candidates across Pennsylvania report no desire to involve the senator in their campaigns this year, and Fetterman has remained silent regarding any plans to hit the trail.

"I absolutely think that Fetterman would bring us more harm than good," said Lori McFarland, the Democratic Party chair in Lehigh County, where Democrats are aiming to flip a competitive congressional seat and a state Senate seat.

"Nobody’s asked to see him, nobody’s requested his presence, and people, quite honestly, they’re mad at him and they don’t want anything to do with him. The local feel here is they feel betrayed by him."

Polling highlights the dramatic realignment. A New York Times survey from August revealed that only about 2 in 10 registered Democrats in Pennsylvania view Fetterman favorably—a steep decline from 2024, when 74% held a positive view. Conversely, 73% of Republican voters in the state now view him favorably, up from 25% two years ago.

A July Quinnipiac poll similarly found that most Republicans approve of his job performance, while most Democrats disapprove.

Cindy Durian, a Democrat planning to vote in May’s primary in suburban Harrisburg, said she would never support Fetterman again.

"I think he might as well change parties, he might as well change from a D to an R," she said.

Fetterman suffered a stroke on the campaign trail before winning his Senate seat in 2022, and was later hospitalized for clinical depression during the opening months of his term.

Frustration among progressives initially surfaced in late 2023 over his stance on Israel’s war against Hamas, but those tensions have intensified since Trump took office. Democrats have watched Fetterman mock party efforts to push back against the administration while becoming a fixture in conservative media.

"He is antagonizing Democrats, seemingly for pleasure," said Democratic strategist J.J. Abbott.

Questions have also grown regarding Fetterman's Senate attendance and workplace conduct. Over the past year, he has accumulated missed votes and committee hearings, while an official meeting in Washington with teachers union representatives ended abruptly after he began shouting, repeating himself, and slamming his hands on a desk.

He has also avoided public events, including a memorial service for three police officers killed in the line of duty.

Local officials across Pennsylvania report little to no contact with the senator in recent years.

"I couldn’t tell you," said state Rep. Peter Schweyer of Allentown, when asked when he last saw Fetterman. "We assumed that when we got him there that we were going to get somebody who’s going to fight for us. And what we got instead was somebody who just disappeared."

The rift comes at a critical moment for Pennsylvania Democrats, who face significant contests in November. Gov. Josh Shapiro, viewed as a prospective 2028 presidential contender, is seeking reelection while leading party efforts to protect a thin state House majority, gain control of the state Senate for the first time in decades, and flip four U.S. House seats.

In one key congressional contest, Democrat Bob Harvie is working to unseat Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. A campaign spokesperson stated that Harvie has not requested Fetterman’s help.

It remains unclear whether Fetterman will return to the trail or seek a second term in 2028, given the routine criticism of his party and the gridlock in Congress. During Senate votes, he frequently sits alone in the hallway rather than engaging with colleagues inside the chamber.

Meanwhile, chatter surrounding 2028 has increasingly focused on several potential Democratic contenders—including Reps. Chris Deluzio and Brendan Boyle, as well as former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb—who have publicly criticized Fetterman.

"I don’t think that Democrats want John Fetterman campaigning for them, and I say that as a guy who’s campaigning with Democrats in the most competitive and toughest districts across Pennsylvania," Deluzio told reporters.

Deluzio noted he will decide whether to launch a 2028 Senate bid after the November election, adding: "Pennsylvanians elected John Fetterman as a Democrat to the United States Senate. They expect him to be a Democrat in these two years he has left in this term."

Although Fetterman insists he will remain in the party, he has described any shift toward an anti-Israel stance by Democrats as a "red line" that would prompt him to leave. He has also cultivated a close working relationship with Pennsylvania’s other senator, Republican David McCormick, appearing alongside him at public events and creating a joint fundraising committee.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted in July that Senate Republicans have discussed Fetterman’s frustrations within the Democratic caucus: "If he ever comes to the conclusion that he’s ready to move, we’d certainly welcome him."

Democrats currently hold 47 Senate seats. Should they gain four seats in the upcoming election, a party switch by Fetterman could return the Senate to a 50-50 tie, restoring control to Republicans and positioning Vice President JD Vance to cast tie-breaking votes.