Not a single Pennsylvania House Democrat in Congress is willing to say on the record that Senator John Fetterman should run for reelection as a Democrat. This highlights just how isolated Fetterman has become from his own party colleagues. While his seat is not up for election until 2028, the lack of support from fellow Pennsylvania Democrats suggests his path forward within the party is looking increasingly difficult.
The tension comes from a series of political moves that have left many of his peers frustrated. Fetterman has repeatedly broken ranks to vote for Republican Cabinet picks and has publicly criticized fellow Democrats.
According to Punchbowl, his frequent appearances on Fox News have added to speculation about whether he might switch to the GOP or leave the Democratic Party altogether. Although Fetterman has denied any intention of becoming a Republican, the Pennsylvania state GOP chair has said he is watching the situation closely to see if a party switch could happen.
His approval among Pennsylvania Democrats has collapsed to historic lows
When asked about Fetterman, his House colleagues made their hesitation clear. Representative Brendan Boyle, who has been rumored to be considering a Senate bid in 2028, said, “My focus right now is on 2026, but I would just say I’d be very surprised if he ran in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.”
Representative Chris Deluzio, another lawmaker mentioned as a potential 2028 contender, pointed to policy disagreements, noting he and Fetterman have “serious disagreements” about the war in Iran, before adding, “2028 is still a way off.”
Other members of the delegation were equally critical or non-committal. Representative Summer Lee, when asked if Fetterman should run for reelection as a Democrat, said, “That’s up to him,” before adding, “At his own peril.” Representative Madeleine Dean said, “My concern is entirely about him and his health, and I’ll let 2028 take care of itself,” and added, “I disagree with many of his votes.”
Representative Chrissy Houlahan said, “It’s no secret that I’ve been disappointed with some of his votes and that I’m confused by it,” though she added, “But I’m not responsible for deciding whether he runs again.” This growing frustration within the party comes at a time when House Democrats have been pushing back hard against the current administration.
The polling numbers tell a striking story. According to The New Republic, a February Quinnipiac University poll showed that while Fetterman holds a 46% approval rating among all Pennsylvania voters, the breakdown by party is heavily skewed.
He currently has a 73% to 18% approval rating among Republicans, but he is underwater with his own party at 22% to 62%. His net approval with Pennsylvania Democrats has dropped 108 points, from a positive 68 in 2023 to a negative 40 in 2026.
Experts have noted that his current standing among Democrats is worse than that of every sitting senator who lost a primary election this century. It is a dramatic shift for a politician who built his brand on championing progressive causes.
His recent voting record, which includes supporting funding for the Department of Homeland Security and advancing GOP nominations, has clearly alienated the base that helped elect him. Fetterman has previously described these polling figures as “confusing,” saying he often votes with his party and opposes the GOP reconciliation act.
Despite his defense, his team did not respond to requests for comment about the lack of support from his congressional colleagues. The wider Democratic Party is also dealing with its own identity questions ahead of 2028, with top Democrats privately debating who should lead the party in the next election.
As the political cycle moves toward 2028, it seems likely that he will face a serious challenge for his seat. Whether he chooses to run as a Democrat, switch parties, or exit the race entirely remains the big question, but for now, he is essentially standing alone within his own caucus.
Published: Apr 21, 2026 01:45 pm