Axios reported that the Democratic Party has begun searching for candidates to challenge Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) in the 2028 primary.
The big picture: Democrats who could run against Fetterman include Reps. Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio and former Rep. Conor Lamb, according to multiple political insiders in Pennsylvania.
- 1️⃣ Boyle has been loudly critical of Fetterman on TV and social media, calling him “Trump’s favorite Democrat” and accusing him of visiting the president at Mar-a-Lago to “kiss the ring.”
- 2️⃣ Deluzio has been cultivating a national brand as a young populist leader from the Rust Belt.
- 3️⃣ Lamb has won the praise of progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for repeatedly attacking Fetterman, who beat Lamb in the 2022 Democratic primary.
They hate Fetterman because he supports Israel and has no problem conversing with people who have different political views.
I bet it infuriates them when Fetterman criticizes his party, too.
Fetterman barely aligns with Trump. Just because he supports Trump, gives Trump credit when he does something well, or speaks to others, doesn’t mean he’s a moderate.
Fetterman is not a moderate by far:
The other side: When Axios began reporting on this story, Fetterman texted, “Enjoy your clickbait!”
- Asked a follow-up question, Fetterman said, “Please do not contact.”
- Fetterman later shared an article about a report from a conservative group showing that he is among “the least Trump-aligned Democratic lawmakers” in Pennsylvania, voting with the president 6% of the time. He highlighted that the analysis showed Boyle voting with Trump nearly 14% of the time.
- “ACTUAL NUMBERS,” Fetterman said. “less clicks.”
I remember the left losing their minds because Fetterman went out to dinner with Republican Dave McCormick after he won his election last year.
God forbid Fetterman welcomes his counterpart, opens up to dialogue, and establishes a working relationship to help their state.
Additionally, a primary challenge against Fetterman is unlikely to succeed.
Data shows that those in Pennsylvania like him:
Zoom in: A majority of Democratic voters in Pennsylvania disapprove of the way Fetterman is handling his job, according to a September Quinnipiac poll.
- “There’s a possibility of an opening in 2028, certainly, given the trajectory he is on with Democrats,” said J.J. Balaban, a Philadelphia-based Democratic strategist.
- There has been rampant speculation in political circles that Fetterman may switch parties, but he has said repeatedly he will not leave the Democratic Party.
Zoom out: Fetterman enjoys a positive approval rating overall with voters in his state, which Trump has won twice.
- As Democrats look for a way out of the wilderness after losing last year’s elections, they have been vigorously debating whether to welcome more moderate and conservative people into the party.
- Pennsylvania’s 2028 Senate primary will test the size of their big tent.
I don’t hide my respect for Fetterman. I do not agree with him the majority of the time. It’s his respect for others and his willingness to speak to those on the other side.
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