(Central Square) – After a series of votes and statements over the past year that have put him at odds with other Democrats, U.S. Senator John Fetterman claims that he “does not plan to leave the party.”
“Being an independent voice working with the other party on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania may put me at odds with the party to which I am loyal and which I have no intention of leaving, but I will continue to put my community and country first,” Fetterman said in his statement Washington Post Opinion published on Thursday. “Besides, I would be a terrible Republican who continues to vote overwhelmingly Democratic.”
An article written by Fetterman titled “I Haven’t Changed. Here’s What Has Changed.” details his career in elected office and voting history regarding a number of issues that occurred last year that drew opposition from other Democrats.
Fetterman wrote that his focus during his term remains on “working together to find wins and deliver for my constituents,” and says that although he was elected as a Democrat, he is “proud to serve All Pennsylvanians.
“Serving in this way makes us feel more and more alone, but I firmly believe it is needed,” Fetterman wrote. “My party cannot simply be the opposite of anything President Donald Trump says. The president could go out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them. Such senseless stacks and attacks are unproductive. Americans want us to work together to find solutions to the problems they and our country face.”
During recent performances Fetterman claimed his party has “TDS,” a shorthand reference to “Trump Disorder Syndrome.” Country Representative Malcolm Kenyattaa Democrat from Philadelphia who is also vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he called Fetterman a “mess” in a social media post. at the end of April after Fetterman suggested that his party has TDS for opposing the Trump administration’s plans to renovate the White House ballroom.
Kenyatta is not the only party official who disagrees with Fetterman on some issues. In March 2025, Chairman of the Cumberland County Democratic Party Matt Roan called on Fetterman to resign from office after endorsing some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Earlier this week Monroe County Democratic Party calls Fetterman a ‘traitor’ and removing him from office after he failed to rule out voting for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for an office position.
The areas Fetterman particularly highlighted in the article that made the most headlines included immigration policy, shutting down governments and supporting Israel.
Defending his record on immigration, as a leading Democrat, he highlighted his support for the Laken Riley Act, his vote for the bipartisan Immigration Reform Act of 2024, and his co-sponsorship of legislation to stop the flow of fentanyl.
Fetterman said he “took no pleasure” in voting against his party in the face of the government shutdown, but believed “the demand to keep the lights on weighed more than partisan games.”
Referring to Israel and the war in Gaza, Fetterman said he “appreciates” that the Trump administration “has taken action on the threat posed by Iran and its proxies.”
“These once-common views are becoming increasingly toxic in the Democratic Party as a result of catering to fringe and angry segments of our base,” Fetterman wrote.
“My values have not changed and I have always turned to the ideals that defined being a Democrat,” he continued. “I remain strongly pro-choice, pro-weed, pro-LGBT, pro-SNAP, pro-job, and even pro-rib on the bio-slap issue.”
Fetterman also highlighted his work to secure federal funding transport projects in the stateand a series of bipartisan bills, including one that would enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries to receive benefits for buy heated rotisserie chickenanother who intends to do so protect children’s mental healthand finally legislation in this area helps keep Americans at home.
Discussions about Fetterman’s involvement with the Democratic Party have intensified over the past few months falling polls within the party and recent Policy article highlighting Republican efforts to persuade him to switch parties.
Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Greg Rothman told Center Square in April he declared that he would not exclude the party supporting Fetterman’s candidacy in 2028 if he changed parties.
Governor Josh Shapiro AND US Senator Dave McCormick we also addressed the conversations in this week’s interviews.
“I don’t know what Senator Fetterman will do. I know the people of Pennsylvania voted for a Democrat to represent them in the U.S. Senate.” Shapiro said this week on CNN. “So I think he needs to honor that and continue to serve Pennsylvania and get back to what he was elected to do and reflect the will of the people.”
McCormick said NBC10 Philadelphia this week that he had not talked to Fetterman about switching parties but “would welcome him.”
“Honestly, I’ve never talked to him about switching parties,” McCormick told NBC10’s Lauren Mike. “I feel blessed to have him as my colleague. We have developed a true relationship of trust.”
John Cole is a contributor to The Center Square
