Fetterman 2028 primary threat looms as Democrat Chris Deluzio hints at bid
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is facing potential primary challenger Rep.Chris Deluzio, an Iraq War veteran, voting rights attorney, and union organizer, who is considering running against him in the 2028 Democratic primary after hearing support at a Labor Day event in Pittsburgh. Deluzio has criticized Fetterman, notably accusing him of skipping meetings with veterans to appear on TV and questioning his fitness for office, especially following reports that he missed a constituent meeting with paralyzed veterans. Fetterman dismissed these reports as a “hit piece,” calling them lies and smears.
Simultaneously occurring, inside and outside Pennsylvania, Democrats have expressed criticism of Fetterman’s voting record, noting his alignment with former President Trump on some issues-voting against all Senate war powers resolutions and aligning with Trump’s agenda about 28% of the time last year. Fetterman has also faced scrutiny over his perceived lack of duty,amid reports that he skipped a veterans’ meeting for a fox News appearance. Despite these controversies, Fetterman remains committed to his role and has pledged to stay with the Democratic Party, regardless of internal pressures or criticisms.
Deluzio emphasized his current focus on securing victories in Pennsylvania’s ongoing midterm elections, where he is running for a third term in Congress. He indicated that he would consider the 2028 race for senator once the midterms are settled.The article notes that although Fetterman’s reelection isn’t imminent, the upcoming 2028 cycle is significant for the state’s political future. Both offices responded to these developments, but specific comments were not included in the summary.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) faces a possible primary challenge following backlash from published reports that he skipped constituent meetings with paralyzed veterans to appear on television.
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), an Iraq War veteran, voting rights attorney, and union organizer, says he’s weighing a run against Fetterman in the 2028 Democratic primary after hearing support for the idea at Monday’s Labor Day Parade in Pittsburgh.
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“I might, I haven’t decided that,” Deluzio said. “And to be really blunt, I’m doing everything I can right now to help Democrats in Pennsylvania flip congressional seats to give [Gov.] Josh Shapiro a governing majority in the state Senate and grow the majority in the state House.”
Deluzio is currently on the campaign trail for a third term as Pennsylvania’s representative for the 17th Congressional District, facing Republican candidate Tony Guy, the Beaver County sheriff.
“I’m focused on doing what we can do right now to win,” Deluzio said, adding, “I’ll deal with 2028 when we get past” the midterm elections.
The Pennsylvania congressman has been critical of Fetterman, writing on X, “He is not up for the high office he was elected to — and we in Pennsylvania will do something about it in 2028.”
Deluzio recently said Fetterman “has no sense of duty” after a Sept. 3 Wall Street Journal article alleged that the Pennsylvania senator skipped a meeting with veterans to make a Fox News appearance.
Fetterman has since blasted the Wall Street Journal report as a “hit piece.”
“Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous,” Fetterman told CNN. He added that “no matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”
Following the Wall Street Journal report, a new account, @FettermanStaff, sprang up on X, threatening to publicize unflattering material about the first-term senator, including screenshots of his internal communications.
Democrats inside and outside of Pennsylvania have criticized Fetterman’s stances and voting, as the first-term senator has sided with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party on multiple issues. Notably, Fetterman has voted against every Senate war powers resolution introduced in the upper chamber.
Last year, Fetterman voted in line with Trump’s agenda 28% of the time, the most of any Senate Democrat, according to data from VoteHub. The senator previously pledged that he would “never” leave the Democratic Party after being pressed over whether he might flee should it capture a narrow majority in the Senate in November’s elections.
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While the senator is not up for reelection in this midterm cycle, Deluzio said “Pennsylvania will do something about it in 2028.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to both Deluzio’s and Fetterman’s offices for comment.
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