Pennsylvania Democrats Seek Progressive Alternative as Fetterman Faces Backlash from Grassroots
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Grassroots activists and progressive leaders in Pennsylvania are pushing for a new Senate candidate in 2028, with Rep. Chris Deluzio emerging as a champion of working people amid mounting frustration with Senator John Fetterman's perceived betrayals.
Progressive Democrats in Pennsylvania are mobilizing early for the 2028 Senate race, as Senator John Fetterman’s recent actions have alienated many in the party’s base. Insiders report that Rep. Chris Deluzio, a Navy veteran and representative from a swing district near Pittsburgh, is gaining momentum as a candidate who can unite Governor Josh Shapiro’s establishment allies and the progressive movement inspired by Senator Bernie Sanders.
Deluzio, currently running for a third House term, has emphasized his commitment to working-class issues and his willingness to challenge corporate interests. After headlining a Shapiro event and securing an endorsement from Sanders—who praised him as “a fighter willing to take on corporate power”—Deluzio has become a beacon for those disillusioned by Fetterman’s recent rightward drift.
“I’m not concerned about what John Fetterman decides to do. I’ll make my own decision without whatever he decides affecting it,” Deluzio told CNN, reaffirming his independence from establishment politics and his focus on the current election cycle.
Other names floated include Rep. Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and former Rep. Conor Lamb, though Lamb’s centrist record makes him an unlikely favorite among progressives. Boyle told CNN he’s weighing whether a House leadership role or a Senate run would allow him to push for more transformative policy change.
Despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempts to keep Fetterman in the fold, many Pennsylvania Democrats are openly rejecting the senator’s presence on the campaign trail. Deluzio noted he hasn’t been asked to appear with Fetterman, and Rep. Madeline Dean voiced the anger of many party members, saying they are “livid” over Fetterman’s abandonment of the bold platform that once inspired hope.
Following criticism over his appearance at a Republican convention, Fetterman issued a defensive statement reaffirming his Democratic credentials and pledging to vote with the party on key issues. He refused to address questions about his future or his relationship with party leaders, further fueling concerns about his commitment to core Democratic values.
This internal struggle highlights the growing divide within the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, as progressives demand real action on issues like Israel, abortion, and gun violence, while establishment figures worry about electoral strategy. Some warn that if Fetterman continues to betray the base, a party switch could threaten Democratic control of the Senate after November.