Inside the plot: Top Pennsylvania Democrats eye ousting Senator Fetterman with 2028 primary bid
Top Democratic operatives in Pennsylvania are reportedly mobilizing behind an audacious strategy to challenge Senator John Fetterman in a 2028 primary, according to Axios. The move reflects a deepening fracture within the party as key insiders express frustration with Fetterman’s perceived moderation, his willingness to work across the aisle on some Trump-supported issues, and signs that his base may be slipping. Sources point to Representatives Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio, as well as former Representative Conor Lamb, among those considered viable contenders should Fetterman seek re-election.
The plot has rattled party ranks, especially given Fetterman’s own pushback. When asked about the speculation, he texted Axios with a brisk “Enjoy your clickbait!” and declined further comment. Yet the whispers have proven persistent. Notably, insiders say some Democrats believe Fetterman may decide not to run again, opening the field entirely. Despite the brewing challenge, public polling still suggests he retains broad approval among Pennsylvania voters overall, though his support among Democrats has notably eroded.
A Quinnipiac poll from September signals trouble in Fetterman’s home state. Fifty-four percent of Democratic voters surveyed expressed disapproval of his performance, a sharp turn from previous cycles, while just one-third gave him a thumbs up. Conversely, Republicans in Pennsylvania seem surprisingly favorable: 62 percent approved of Fetterman’s record, versus only 21 percent who disapproved. The shift is striking in a state that remains hotly contested.
Critics within the party argue that Fetterman’s stances on issues like Israel, his occasional votes aligning with Trump positions, and his open critique of party leadership have alienated the progressive wing. In the current climate, they assert that the Democratic brand needs candidates with sharper alignment and clearer messaging to compete in swing territories. The potential challengers—Boyle, Deluzio, Lamb—are seen as voices with stronger party roots, each weighing the risk and opportunity of a Senate bid against Fetterman’s incumbency.
Fetterman, who flipped a Republican seat in 2022, remains a political enigma. He has denied any intention to switch parties and insists his identity remains with the Democrats, though the tension between his independence and party expectations has grown more visible. Some insiders say his long-discussed presidential ambitions may be influencing his posture; others maintain that he simply wishes to represent Pennsylvania on his own terms.
The primary fight would not just be intraparty theatrics—it would be a test case of whether Democrats in key battleground states will pivot toward ideological purity or pragmatism ahead of pivotal midterms. If Fetterman declines to run, the field could become a fierce scramble among hopefuls eager to claim a seat in a swing state. If he fights to stay, the race would likely pit his outsider style against party-aligned challengers.
As the speculation accelerates, all eyes in Pennsylvania’s Democratic circles are watching whether Fetterman will defend his seat or yield the stage. Either way, the outcome may echo far beyond Harrisburg, signaling how the Democratic Party navigates internal dissent, swing-state strategy, and the challenge of balancing ideological consistency with electoral pragmatism.
