Widely condemned by fellow Democrats in Pennsylvania and beyond for his outspokenness, Sen. John Fetterman nonetheless would be a favorite among Republicans if he switched parties and sought the GOP nomination when he’s up for reelection in 2028.
A just-completed Quinnipiac poll shows Fetterman with a strong 72% favorable rating among Pennsylvania Republicans. Only 19% view him unfavorably, while 7% have no opinion.
Those numbers have fueled speculation that Fetterman could announce a switch to the Republican Party following the November elections.
Such a move could prove crucial for Senate Republicans, particularly if Democrats gain the four seats needed to reach the magic 51 required for a majority and control of the chamber.
If Fetterman then crossed the aisle to join the GOP, the Senate would be evenly divided between the two parties, leaving Vice President JD Vance to cast tie-breaking votes. That would give the GOP control of the Senate.
Fetterman has good reason to consider switching. The latest poll shows his standing among Democrats is dramatically different.
Quinnipiac found that only 13% of Pennsylvania Democrats view the senator favorably, while 69% have an unfavorable opinion of him. An additional 16% have no opinion.
For more than a year, Fetterman — who was widely considered a liberal in the mold of Bernie Sanders when he was elected to the Senate in 2022 — has been a proverbial thorn in the side of fellow Democrats in Pennsylvania and Washington.
He has called the Democratic brand “toxic” and voted to confirm most of President Donald Trump’s nominees.
Most significantly, he has denounced fellow Democrats over what he considers their increasingly hostile stance toward Israel and embrace of antisemites, plus has flown the Israeli flag outside his home.
Fetterman also has refused to personally attack Trump and has criticized fellow Democrats who do.
“If you’re rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation, and I’m not ever going to be where I want a president to fail,” Fetterman has said. “So country first!”
Of course, if Fetterman made the jump to the GOP, he could face some obstacles.
Fetterman remains decidedly left of center on cultural issues, ranging from LGBTQ rights to abortion — positions that could turn off many Republican primary voters.
Fetterman has said publicly he has no plans to switch parties.
But that’s now.
“Right now, no. I think Republicans are having an affair with him,” former GOP Rep. Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania, a stalwart conservative, told Newsmax.
“But they would not marry him.”
But Fetterman may decide to jump anyway, a decision he can make after the election when the Senate lines are clearer.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Click Here Now.
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