Fetterman more popular with Pennsylvania Republicans than Democrats: Poll

A new poll found Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is more popular among Pennsylvania Republicans over Democrats following his virtual appearance at the GOP’s midterm convention in September.

The Quinnipiac University poll , released Wednesday, found 72 percent of Pennsylvania Republicans held a favorable opinion on Fetterman, 19 percent viewed the senator negatively, and 7 percent said they had not heard enough about him.

Among the state’s Democrats, only 13 percent have a favorable opinion on him, while 69 percent do not have a favorable opinion, and 15 percent have not heard enough about him. Among Pennsylvania independents, 27 percent held a favorable opinion of Fetterman, 49 percent had an unfavorable opinion, and 23 percent had not heard enough about him.

Though the Keystone State senator has voted with the Democratic caucus 90 percent of the time, he split from his party on several high-profile votes — including helping Republicans block a Senate war powers resolution. These departures — along with his midterm convention appearance — have caused many to question Fetterman’s party loyalty.

Fetterman also voted with GOP lawmakers against cutting off aid to Israel, even saying previously at the Hill Nation Summit he would leave the Democratic Party if it turned its back on the country entirely — though he has repeatedly asserted he will not “be a Republican.”

Even GOP Sen. Dave McCormick (Pa.) is notably less popular among Pennsylvania Republicans compared to Fetterman, as 67 percent felt favorably about McCormick in Wednesday’s poll, 13 percent do not have a favorable opinion, and 20 percent did not know enough about him.

Out of all likely Pennsylvania voters surveyed, 37 percent reported holding favorable opinions of Fetterman, while 46 percent had an unfavorable view, and 15 percent haven’t heard enough about him.

His Democratic colleagues in Congress similarly grew frustrated with Fetterman following his video appearance at the Republican midterm convention, in which he introduced McCormick and described him as a “great friend.”

Fetterman said in a statement after the video’s release that he would continue to caucus with Democrats, writing, “I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on.”

His seat is not up for reelection until 2028, and he has repeatedly asked reporters to “just wait” until the midterms when asked about his future with the party.

“And if I turn a Republican, then I’ll be a liar … My name is not on the ballot. Chill,” Fetterman said in mid-September.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and a number of other Republican senators have stated they would welcome Fetterman to the GOP.

The poll was conducted between Oct. 1 – 5 among 1,159 likely voters in Pennsylvania. The margin of error is 3.9 percentage points.