USA08 September, 20262 min read
Chris Deluzio Says He’s Thinking About Challenging John Fetterman in 2028 Democratic Primary
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Deluzio says he's thinking about running against Fetterman in 2028. He cited encouragement from attendees at the Labor Day Parade in Pittsburgh.
Deluzio eyes 2028
Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Deluzio said at a Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh that he is "thinking about it" and may challenge Sen. John Fetterman in the 2028 Democratic primary.
Deluzio, a Democrat who is being challenged for his 17th District seat by Republican Tony Guy, said he has "gotten a lot of encouragement, today even," after being asked whether he was considering running against Fetterman.
Deluzio framed his criticism of Fetterman around a Sept. 3 Wall Street Journal report, writing on X that the senator’s behavior showed "this man has no sense of duty".
In the same remarks, Deluzio said he is focused on winning the midterms and flipping congressional seats in Pennsylvania, while also pointing to the Iran War as an issue where he said Fetterman voted to continue hostilities overseas.
CBS News reported it reached out to Fetterman for comment and had not heard back.
Democrats distance
ABC News described Sen. John Fetterman’s isolation from Democrats in Pennsylvania as "grows stark," saying no Democrat in the state wants to be seen with him.
The report said Fetterman has acknowledged his isolation while maintaining staunch support of Israel's war in Gaza and criticizing left-wing candidates who are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
ABC News quoted Fetterman telling Fox News host Sean Hannity, "I'm not going to be a Republican, but I'm going to be a Democrat that's going to have a conversation with whoever is playing it straight," as his office and political adviser did not return messages seeking comment.
Lori McFarland, the Democratic Party chair in Lehigh County, said, "I absolutely think that Fetterman would bring us more harm than good," and described local Democrats as feeling betrayed.
ABC News also cited polling showing only about 2 in 10 registered Democrats in Pennsylvania have a favorable view of Fetterman, according to a New York Times poll from August.
Work apathy dispute
CNN en Español reported that Sen. John Fetterman lashed out at former employees who accused him of being indifferent to his job and habitually missing meetings with constituents.
In a statement sent to CNN, Fetterman called the Wall Street Journal article "the third defamatory piece by discontented employees" and said, "As usual: lies, half-truths, insinuations, calumnies, and anonymous sources,".
CNN said the Journal report was based on interviews with more than a dozen former staffers, as well as text messages and internal records, and that an anonymous X account was created by former aides who planned to share more unfavorable details.
CNN reported that in a September text, according to the Journal, Fetterman asked his staff why he had to "keep meeting" with executives from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, known as CHOP.
In the CNN statement, Fetterman said the remark was a "silly joke" and added that his office and he have advocated for CHOP and will support their requests and any other need they can help with.