Several prominent Pennsylvania Democrats are positioning themselves for a potential 2028 Senate primary challenge against Sen. John Fetterman, setting the stage for what could become a divisive party battle in one of the nation’s most critical swing states.
Fetterman, who flipped a Republican-held seat in 2022, remains popular with voters across Pennsylvania. However, his softened approach toward former President Donald Trump has angered parts of his own party and opened the door to intraparty maneuvering years ahead of the next election.
According to multiple Democratic insiders, possible challengers include Reps. Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio and former Rep. Conor Lamb. Each has taken increasingly sharp public stances that signal early positioning for a statewide run.
Boyle has been among Fetterman’s most vocal critics, taking to television and social media to attack the senator’s approach to Trump and accusing him of being too accommodating. Deluzio has worked to build a national profile as a Rust Belt populist, appealing to younger and more activist segments of the Democratic base. Lamb, who previously lost to Fetterman in the 2022 Democratic primary, has won progressive praise for continuing to target Fetterman from the left.
Behind the scenes, some party officials are openly considering a run or keeping their options open if Fetterman decides not to seek reelection. Others fear that an extended, high-profile primary fight could fracture the party in a state that will likely once again be pivotal in national elections.
Fetterman has brushed off early reports of potential challengers. He later shared data from a conservative group showing he has voted with Trump just six percent of the time, pushing back on critics who have labeled him too friendly to the former president.
Source: Axios