Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman is again facing intense pressure to switch from Democrat to Republican.
Fetterman has repeatedly denied wanting to join the Republican Party, but new polling suggests the numbers may force his hand.
A Quinnipiac University survey of 836 registered Pennsylvania voters conducted February 19-23 found that 73 percent of Republicans approve of the way Fetterman is handling his job, while only 22 percent of Democrats say the same.
Among Democratic respondents, 62 percent disapprove of the senator.
It is a stunning reversal from a 2023 Quinnipiac poll, in which roughly seven out of ten Democrats supported Fetterman and four out of five Republicans disapproved of him.
“Senator Fetterman, bridging both parties on some issues, maintains the warm embrace of a healthy number of Republicans,” Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy said.
The numbers have renewed speculation — from voters, political insiders and commentators — that Fetterman may be better suited caucusing with Republicans than Democrats. “He’s a one-term senator either way,” one observer wrote on social media.
Fetterman has rejected the idea of joining the GOP in the past. He called the talk “amateur-hour s**t” after the January 2025 inauguration.
“It’s not going to happen. And even if I wanted to do that, this is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try and switch — I would make a pretty bad Republican,” he said.
He has repeated his denial more recently.
“No, I’m not going to switch,” Fetterman told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in September 2025, describing himself instead as “an independent voice in the Democratic Party.” After Tuesday’s State of the Union address, CNN host Kasie Hunt pressed him again on the question.
“My record is solid, solid Democrat,” Fetterman replied.
Yet Fetterman was the only Democrat to shake President Donald Trump’s hand before the address Tuesday — and he showed up wearing a suit and tie, breaking from the hoodies and gym shorts that have become his trademark. Trump has previously called Fetterman “the most sensible” Democrat in Washington.
The morning after the speech, Fetterman went on Fox News to blast his own party’s misbehavior.
“The constant kinds of yelling and screaming and holding up signs and doing all of these things — I don’t care if it’s a Republican or Democrat as the president, just don’t do that. Respect the office,” he told host Bill Hemmer. He called it “disappointing, honestly” that so many Democrats skipped the address entirely.
“I think that’s sad that half of my colleagues didn’t show up,” he said.
Despite the denials, the reality of poll numbers may soon force Fetterman’s hand.
Fetterman’s overall approval sits at 46 percent, which outperforms his Republican Senate colleague Dave McCormick, who registers just 37 percent.
But a senator who draws nearly three times more approval from the opposing party than his own faces a difficult path to a 2028 Democratic primary – and a much easier one in the Republican.
Indeed, Rep. Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia, who is eyeing a potential 2028 Democratic primary challenge against Fetterman, took a shot at the senator on social media Tuesday night.
“I’m not surprised PA Senator John Fetterman finally got dressed up for once and so warmly greeted Donald Trump tonight,” Boyle wrote. “After all, as the White House has previously stated, John Fetterman is Trump’s favorite Democrat.”