Pennsylvania Democrats launch plan to oust John Fetterman amid anger over Trump stance

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: Top Democrats in Pennsylvania are quietly preparing to challenge Sen John Fetterman in a 2028 primary contest, setting the stage for an early intra-party battle in one of the nation’s most consequential swing states.

According to an Axios report, published on Wednesday, October 15, senior Democratic figures and strategists are already positioning themselves for a potential campaign against Fetterman.

His alleged growing distance from the party’s left flank has sparked resentment among progressives.

Party tensions rise in key battleground state

Reported potential challengers are trading barbs before any official race has begun.

Among those mentioned as possible contenders are Reps Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio, and former Rep Conor Lamb, according to the report.

Boyle has been the most vocal critic, labeling Fetterman as “Trump’s favorite Democrat."

Deluzio, meanwhile, has been building a reputation as a young populist leader from the Rust Belt.

While Lamb has earned praise from progressives such as Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for repeatedly taking on Fetterman, who defeated him in the 2022 Democratic primary.

Democrats haven’t flipped a Republican-held Senate seat since Fetterman’s 2022 victory.

Asked about a potential Senate run, the three possible contenders stopped short of ruling it out.

Boyle said he was focused on helping Democrats win back the House in 2026, but admitted he would decide after that about 2028. 

Deluzio said that his current focus was on statewide judicial races and the midterms.

Notably, he has been making appearances at events across Pennsylvania, including rallies with Sen Bernie Sanders.

Lamb, reached briefly, said that he was “in the middle of a trial.”

A person close to Deluzio told Axios that the congressman would take a “good look” at a Senate bid if Fetterman opted out.

But it's rumored that some former Fetterman aides believe that the senator may not seek another term because he allegedly dislikes Washington and feels politically isolated.

Poll shows growing Democratic discontent over Fetterman

A September Quinnipiac poll found that a majority of Pennsylvania Democrats disapproved of Fetterman.

“There’s a possibility of an opening in 2028, certainly, given the trajectory he is on with Democrats,” said the Philadelphia-based Democratic strategist JJ Balaban.

Although speculation persists that Fetterman might switch parties, he has repeatedly denied it.

Despite the tensions, Fetterman has maintained a strong overall approval rating with Pennsylvania voters, a state that Trump has twice carried.

According to the Quinnipiac poll, Fetterman is enjoying a higher approval rating among Republicans than Democrats in his own constituency.

The poll showed that Fetterman has a 62–21 approval rating among GOP voters in Pennsylvania, a stunning reversal from 2024, when Republicans disapproved of him 75–16.

Meanwhile, his approval among Pennsylvania Democrats has collapsed from 80–10 last year to 54–33.

Also, Fetterman has broken ranks with the Democratic Party on several occasions.

Most recently, he voted to advance the House-passed continuing resolution to keep the government funded, while many from the rest of his party have rejected the bill.