Fetterman Says He's Not Planning to Switch Parties

Sen. John Fetterman says he's staying put. The Pennsylvania senator moved to tamp down speculation about a party switch on Wednesday night, saying he will continue to caucus with Democrats even after appearing by video at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention. In the video, he hailed GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, the state's other senator, as a "great American" and "great friend," touting their work on manufacturing, infrastructure, and housing, efforts he noted President Trump supported. He described himself as a "common-sense Democrat" who rejects "extremes and socialism."

"My remarks introduced Dave McCormick as a great American and friend. We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA," Fetterman said in a statement after his remarks aired, per the Hill. "I'm a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party—and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on," he said. Fetterman posted, "Put me in, coach. I promise to be that 51st vote. Every time," on social media during his campaign, but has frequently bucked his own party on foreign policy since he was elected in 2022

A poll last month found that Fetterman was far more popular with Pennsylvania Republicans than with the state's Democrats. He was also more popular among Republicans than McCormick. Fetterman's fellow Senate Democrats have played down suggestions that he could switch parties. Fetterman "is a friend and an important member of our caucus. It's a waste of energy to get spun up about his voting record or place in our party—he votes with us 90% of the time," Sen. Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat, told Politico before Fetterman's GOP convention appearance. "We need a big tent if we're going to win in November."