HARRISBURG, Pa. — The election of Democrat John Fetterman to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat sparked optimism among supporters who anticipated him to shake things up and challenge the status quo. However, the manner in which he has pursued this has caught many off guard.
Fetterman has diverged from party lines on various issues and has shown a surprising openness towards President Donald Trump, someone he previously criticized as a “felon” focused on revenge during the 2024 campaign trail. To add to this surprising turn, he recently became the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump post-election.
This shift in Fetterman’s behavior has led many within his party to quietly distance themselves from him. Just two years ago, he won a competitive primary in Pennsylvania despite experiencing a stroke while campaigning. Now, supporters like Christine Jacobs, founder of Represent PA—a group aimed at electing Democratic women—express disappointment and concern about Fetterman’s rapport with Trump. Jacobs fears that Fetterman’s engagement might present the image that he is being exploited by Trump.
Fetterman’s political maneuvers echo those of former Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, who parted ways with their party during Biden’s presidency and eventually transitioned to political independents. Yet, Fetterman, who previously took jabs at Manchin during his campaign, is not the only one having to recalibrate in today’s political landscape.
Democrats are currently facing significant challenges following election setbacks across key states, including Pennsylvania, which previously aligned with Trump and allowed his party to gain control over the White House and Congress. As a result, many Democrats are reevaluating their strategies, pondering how confrontational they should be towards Trump and whether they should adopt some of his policies in an effort to reconstruct their coalition.
“I haven’t changed my core values throughout out all this,” Fetterman stated during a recent interview with KDKA-AM radio in Pittsburgh. He emphasized that part of his mandate from voters is to engage with Republicans.
Taking on the role of Pennsylvania’s senior senator, Fetterman faced a rocky start marked by challenges, including being diagnosed with auditory processing disorder from his stroke and subsequently checking into a hospital for depression shortly after taking office. However, six weeks post-recovery, he returned exhibiting a newfound vigor, embracing a laid-back style composed of hoodies and shorts, moving away from traditional attire.
Fetterman soon made headlines, notably criticizing former Senator Bob Menendez for remaining in office amidst bribery allegations, a situation which culminated in Menendez’s conviction last year. Following Hamas’s assault on Israel, Fetterman publicly voiced his strong support for Israel, a stance that underscores the divisions within the Democratic Party.
Recently, Fetterman solidified his unique position as he became the sole Senate Democrat to engage with Trump, flying to Mar-a-Lago for discussions that he described as an “honest conversation” lasting over an hour. “I can only see good things emerging from that,” he reflected while conversing on KDKA.
Trump reciprocated Fetterman’s sentiments, describing their discussion as “totally fascinating” and labeling Fetterman as a “commonsense person” who doesn’t fall strictly under liberal or conservative categories.
Political advisers claim that Fetterman’s actions are indicative of strategic awareness in an evolving political atmosphere. Mustafa Rashed, a Democratic strategist from Philadelphia, observed that the political landscape in Pennsylvania has shifted, suggesting that Fetterman’s outreach to Trump is a necessary step to remain relevant in a state that seems to lean Republican following Trump’s electoral success.
Fetterman, representing one of ten Senate Democrats from states won by Trump, is setting himself apart through various initiatives. He has interacted with several of Trump’s Cabinet nominees and even endorsed measures that some Democrats oppose, including a GOP-led bill aimed at detaining unauthorized immigrants who have committed specific crimes. He noted on Fox News that if enough Democrats cannot coalesce with Republicans to support such legislation, “then that’s a reason why we lost” the upcoming election.
Underlying Fetterman’s politicking is a history of building his political career independently of party structures. As the mayor of Braddock, he gained recognition for both his physical appearance and revitalization efforts within the economically depressed town. In the 2016 primary, he backed Bernie Sanders against establishment candidate, signaling his inclination to go against the grain. His indifference to Democratic Party endorsements during the 2022 primary further established his independent streak.
However, this could create friction within party ranks. Jamie Perrapato, who heads Turn PA Blue, a campaign volunteer organization, noted a good deal of unrest among leftist supporters regarding Fetterman’s overtures to Trump, declaring that anyone expecting him to conform to traditional party leadership were mistaken in their assumptions.
Rumors abound about Fetterman potentially changing party affiliations, but in a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” he firmly stated that he remains with the Democratic Party while asserting his actions reflect the needs of his constituency in Pennsylvania.
Nonetheless, Fetterman continues to champion foundational issues, such as labor rights, abortion rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. His relationships with prominent Pennsylvania Democrats, like former Senator Bob Casey, have shown his commitment to traditional Democratic values. Jim Burn, a former state party chair, reiterated that Fetterman dedicated considerable effort supporting Vice President Kamala Harris during her campaign.
“There’s no basis to claim that John Fetterman was hedging his bets for the Republicans,” Burn concluded, emphasizing Fetterman’s robust campaigning for Harris throughout the state.
