Democrats are plotting to oust Sen. John Fetterman from office for his disloyalty.
In Pennsylvania, liberals are preparing a 2028 primary challenge over Fetterman’s willingness to cooperate with President Donald Trump and his criticism of fellow Democrats, according to a report from Axios.
Potential Democratic challengers include Rep. Brendan Boyle, who has branded Fetterman “Trump’s favorite Democrat” and accused the senator of visiting Mar-a-Lago to “kiss the ring.” Rep. Chris Deluzio is quietly building a populist profile, while former Rep. Conor Lamb, who lost to Fetterman by more than two-to-one in the 2022 primary, has remained an open critic of the senator.
Fetterman’s approval rating among Pennsylvania Democrats has dipped from 80 percent in January 2024 to 54 percent, according to a Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month. His approval rating among Republicans stands firm at 62 percent.
The first-term senator has drawn fire from progressives for his staunch support of Israel’s war against the radical Islamic terror group Hamas in Gaza and his willingness to work with the Trump administration. The steering committee of progressive organization Indivisible PA asked Fetterman to resign last month. At a massive “No Kings” rally in Philadelphia, Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg name-checked Fetterman and asked the crowd, “Anyone seen John Fetterman here today?” The crowd booed.
Fetterman was one of only three members of the Senate Democratic Conference to vote to fund the government and end the ongoing shutdown, joining Republicans and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King. He has repeatedly criticized fellow Democrats over the stalemate.
“I follow country, then party,” Fetterman said at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night during NewsNation’s live town hall. “I would love to have a conversation on health care [subsidies]. But [the shutdown] is wrong for the country … . I can’t vote for shutting the government down.”
At the same event, Fetterman stunned the crowd by refusing to call Trump voters fascists or Nazis.
“I know and I love people who voted for President Trump. They are NOT fascists, they’re NOT Nazis, they’re NOT trying to destroy the Constitution,” Fetterman said. “I really believe in calling balls and strikes. And I think I want to follow the truths.”
Fetterman told Fox News on Sunday that the shutdown has been “very isolating,” comparing the situation to criticism he’s faced over his support for Israel.
When Axios contacted Fetterman for comment, he texted back: “Enjoy your clickbait!” before adding, “Please do not contact.” He later sent the outlet an article showing data that reveals he votes with Trump just 6 percent of the time, compared with Boyle’s 14 percent, writing simply: “ACTUAL NUMBERS. less clicks.”
Asked if they’ll run for Fetterman’s seat, the three potential 2028 contenders did not rule it out. “Right now I’m focused on doing all I can to ensure Democrats win back the House in 2026. … After that, I will make a decision about 2028,” Boyle told Axios.
Deluzio sidestepped the question, saying he is concentrating on statewide judicial races this year and the midterm elections in 2026. Lamb said he was “in the middle of a trial” and could not immediately talk about the race.
Lamb has crisscrossed Pennsylvania in recent months, attending at least a dozen town halls and party events and clocking more than 2,000 miles to appear in small towns and suburbs. Progressive groups organized their own town hall in Pittsburgh after Fetterman and Republican Sen. David McCormick advertised an event together to celebrate McCormick’s new book. They invited Lamb instead.
“Showing up matters and it really does make a difference,” said Dana Kellerman, a Pittsburgh-based progressive organizer.
Despite the push back from socialists, Fetterman still holds a positive approval rating overall with voters in Pennsylvania, which Trump has won twice. Some former Fetterman aides believe he won’t run for the Senate again because he dislikes Washington and is now on a political island. Fetterman has long held presidential ambitions, according to people who know him, though he did not respond to questions about whether he would run for reelection or president in 2028.