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Fetterman’s plummeting popularity

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U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s standing among Pennsylvania Democrats has deteriorated further, with a new poll showing that nearly three-quarters of likely Democratic voters now view him as more Republican than Democrat.

The Philadelphia Inquirer/New York Times/Siena University poll, released Thursday, found that 57% of Pennsylvania likely voters overall consider Fetterman more Republican than Democrat, while just 26% view him as more Democratic. Nearly three-quarters of Democrats also place him on the Republican side.

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Fetterman’s overall popularity has also declined. The survey of 615 likely Pennsylvania voters, conducted Sept. 15-21, found 47% viewed him unfavorably and 42% favorably. It marked an 11-percentage-point swing from an August poll that showed him with a positive favorability rating.

The shift follows Fetterman’s increasing willingness to break with his party and support some policies of President Donald Trump. He has backed portions of the administration’s immigration policies, supported the war in Iran and voted for some Trump nominees. Earlier this month, Fetterman appeared by video at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas.

The latest results continue a trend evident in August, when 69% of likely Democratic voters viewed Fetterman unfavorably and two-thirds said he supported Trump too frequently. At the same time, Fetterman had become unusually popular among Republicans, with 79% viewing him favorably in that survey.

Israel policy is another significant point of disagreement. The latest poll found 60% of Pennsylvania likely voters oppose additional U.S. economic and military assistance to Israel, including four in five Democrats. Fetterman has remained one of Israel’s strongest supporters in the Senate.

Despite the widening divide with Democratic voters, Fetterman continues to identify as a Democrat and has repeatedly rejected suggestions that he plans to become a Republican. He also continues to vote with Democrats on most Senate matters. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has described Fetterman as a reliable Democratic vote.

Fetterman has not announced whether he will seek a second Senate term in 2028.

Source: Phila Inquirer

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