John Fetterman says Democrats could take the Senate in the midterms
The Pennsylvania senator said a Democratic Senate win is possible, while postponing decisions on his party future and 2028 plans.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Sen. John Fetterman said Democrats could take the Senate in the midterm elections, calling that outcome “entirely possible” during an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin.
The Pennsylvania Democrat made the comment in an interview with CBS News’ Major Garrett. CBS reported that Republicans held 53 Senate seats and that Democrats faced an uphill battle for control of the chamber.
Could Democrats take back the Senate?
Fetterman did not offer an election forecast or predict a Democratic victory. He said a takeover was possible as candidates campaign for the midterms, according to CBS News.
The senator also addressed questions about his own political direction after breaking with Democrats on some issues. He said he had no reason to leave the Democratic Party and added: “I am not a Republican.”
Fetterman said people should wait until after the midterms to see what he does politically. He raised a hypothetical in which Democrats win 51 seats, but did not say how he would cast tie-breaking votes in that situation, The Hill reported.
He pointed to his own 2022 win in Pennsylvania, saying a victory in a state such as his could help make a Democratic majority mathematically possible. Pennsylvania is represented by Fetterman and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, CBS News reported.
What did Fetterman say about 2028?
Fetterman said he has been actively raising money, but deferred a decision on whether to seek reelection in 2028 until after the midterms, according to CBS News. “Let’s revisit after the midterm,” he said when asked about his political future.
Earlier this month, Fetterman appeared by video at a Republican midterm convention to introduce McCormick and said he would work with President Trump on steel, CBS News reported. At the festival, however, he said he had “no path as a Republican.”
Fetterman also said he expected Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to remain the Democratic leader if the party wins the chamber, and said he would support Schumer. He credited Schumer with recruiting a strong Senate candidate class, CBS News reported.
His comments leave the larger question of Senate control to the voters. For now, Fetterman’s message was conditional: Democrats have a route to the majority, he said, but the result remains unsettled until the midterms.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.