Fetterman's Cross-Party Appeal
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is now more popular with Republicans in his home state than with members of his own party, according to a new poll.
The New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll, released Tuesday, found that only 22% of Pennsylvania Democrats hold a favorable view of Fetterman, while 63% view him unfavorably. Among the state's Republicans, the picture is reversed: 73% see the senator favorably, with just 21% holding an unfavorable view. Independents split 49% favorable to 36% unfavorable.
The survey, conducted among 760 Pennsylvania voters from August 17 to 21, carries a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points for the likely electorate and plus or minus 4.5 points for registered voters.
According to the poll, Fetterman is so popular among Pennsylvania Republicans that he is viewed more favorably than the state's own GOP senator, David McCormick.
A Senator in the Spotlight
The poll results come amid a period of heightened attention on Fetterman's relationship with his party and with Republicans. Fetterman, who has been praised by President Donald Trump as the "most sensible" Democrat, told the Washington Examiner that he would not campaign against McCormick, a fellow senator from Pennsylvania who will be up for reelection in 2030.
Although speculation about a potential party switch has swirled, Fetterman has said he intends to stay a Democrat. Asked last month in an interview with The New York Times whether he would ever become a Republican, he replied, "Never. I'm not being cute. I vote 90-something percent with Democrats."
GOP Courtship and Schumer's Support
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged that he and other Republican colleagues have approached Fetterman about leaving the Democratic Party.
"I have had conversations with him in the past, as have many of my colleagues, about the challenges he faces in his caucus," Thune said last month. "And there are many of us who, I think, would welcome the opportunity to have him join the Republican conference, but ultimately that's a decision that's up to him."
On the other side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has voiced support for keeping Fetterman in the Democratic fold. Schumer said he wants Fetterman to remain a Democrat and called him a very good member of Congress.
Fetterman's Own Statements
Part of Fetterman's divergence from the Democratic mainstream relates to foreign policy. Last month, he warned that he could leave the party if it officially adopts an anti-Israel stance.
"If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that's when I would leave because that's been a moral clarity for me," he said.
Fetterman has also taken aim at elements of the Democratic Party, while maintaining that his voting record remains overwhelmingly aligned with his current party.
The cross-party approval of Fetterman reflects a political reality that has made him a presence in both Democratic and Republican circles, even as the parties wrestle with the implications.