Fetterman Calls Himself a 'Lifelong Republican' as 81% Democratic Voting Record Fuels Switch Talk
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 10
Fetterman Calls Himself a 'Lifelong Republican' as 81% Democratic Voting Record Fuels Switch Talk
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 10
Summary
John Fetterman accidentally described himself as a “lifelong Republican” at TribFest, reviving questions about whether the Pennsylvania Democrat could eventually leave his party.
81% is Fetterman’s Democratic voting rate in this Congress—down from nearly 90% since taking office in 2023—even as he has broken with Democrats on Iran and immigration and used Republican fundraising platforms.
Fetterman has also introduced Republican Sen. Dave McCormick at the RNC and warned he would leave Democrats if the party turned further against Israel, deepening his image as a Senate outlier.
90% remains central to his defense: Fetterman said no Republican votes that often with Democrats and argued his positions on abortion and LGBTQ issues do not fit today’s GOP.
Republicans still largely doubt a party switch, with one senior GOP aide calling him a staunch Democrat despite the speculation and his increasingly centrist posture.