Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a maverick known for frequently breaking with his own party, is performing better among Pennsylvania Republicans than Democrats, according to a new poll.
Fetterman, who was a self-proclaimed “progressive” when he won his Senate seat in 2022, has angered many fellow Democrats via his stances on hot button issues such as foreign policy and immigration, as well as his more diplomatic take on the presidency of Donald Trump. Fetterman is polling underwater in the state’s heavily Democratic urban areas, but is rising in popularity among Republicans, according to the survey from Susquehanna Polling and Research.
Out of all the poll’s respondents, Fetterman’s approval rating was 41%, with 37% of voters disapproving of him. Among Republicans, however, Fetterman had a 45% approval rating — 5 percentage points higher than his approval among his own party.
Furthermore, 39% of Democrats disapproved of Fetterman compared to 37% of Republicans, according to the poll. Twenty-two percent of total respondents had no opinion of Fetterman.
James Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling and Research told PennLive that Fetterman “should consider switching parties if this trend keeps up.”
“It’s hard to say how he fares in a reelection contest, which is still a few years away, but based on this latest poll his real vulnerability seems to be in a Democratic primary,” Lee said.
Pennsylvania Republican Party communications director James Markley told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the Democratic Party is throwing one of its own senators “under the bus” partly due to him breaking “with the progressive line.”
“It’s less about Republicans embracing John Fetterman, and more about his own party throwing him under the bus. Today’s Democratic Party is run by coastal elites and far-left activists,” Markley told the DCNF. “There’s no room for someone who speaks plainly, pushes back, or breaks with the progressive line on things like support for Israel. Fetterman’s rising numbers with Republicans say more about the Democratic Party’s drift than his record.”
In the Keystone State’s Democratic stronghold of Philadelphia, 43% of respondents approved of the Senator and 48% disapproved, according to the poll. In the state’s conservative region through the center and Northern parts of the state, Fetterman had a 41% approval rating and a 33% disapproval rating, per the poll.
Fetterman continues to vocally advocate for Israel and against of Hamas and notably sided with Trump over attacking Iran’s nuclear program. Fetterman also condemned the Los Angeles riots while some of his Democratic colleagues refused to acknowledge that the demonstrations even amounted to riots in the first place.
The senator has called for those in his party to be more diplomatic with the president, saying he is “not against” Trump following his win over Kamala Harris in November. In January, Fetterman met with him at Mar-a-Lago, calling the sit-down an “overall positive experience.”
Fetterman has also faced several health challenges. He suffered a stroke in 2022 and has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety throughout his time in the Senate.
The senator’s term ends in 2029, and some do not see him making it past the primary of a reelection campaign.
Pittsburgh-area Democratic strategist Mike Mikus told PennLive, “Senator Fetterman’s actions, including cozying up to Donald Trump and the numerous stories on his erratic behavior, have badly damaged his image. While he’s not up for re-election for three years, Fetterman has almost reached the point of no return.”
Mikus added, “If that opponent has pulse, it’s a near certainty that John Fetterman will end up being a one-term wonder.”
Susquehanna Polling and Research’s poll of over 700 likely voters had a margin of error of 3.7%.
Fetterman’s office did not respond to the DCNF’s comment request.
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