John Fetterman Voted With Democrats 90% of the Time, Despite Maverick Image

Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., has increasingly diverged from his party on specific issues such as the war in Iran and immigration. However, a closer examination of his voting record reveals that he aligns with Senate Democrats a significant majority of the time. Since joining the Senate in 2023, Fetterman has voted with the Democratic caucus approximately 90% of the time, a rate comparable to staunch party loyalists.

Despite these voting patterns, Fetterman has cultivated an image as a political outlier. This has fueled speculation about a potential shift in party affiliation, though a senior Republican aide described such notions as "wishful thinking." The aide stated, "John Fetterman is a staunch Democrat that votes with his party 96% of the time, anybody who seriously believes that he is going to switch to the Republican Party is thinking wishfully."

Fetterman's political career gained national attention in 2022 with an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders characterized Fetterman as a candidate who identified with the working class and intended to represent working people in Washington. Fetterman secured a victory in that election, contributing to the Democrats' narrow Senate majority.

In the current congressional session, Fetterman's votes have shown a slight deviation from party lines, dropping to just under 81% alignment with Democrats. This period has seen him break with the party more frequently than before. Concurrently, Fetterman has been observed using Republican fundraising platforms, has developed a close friendship with Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and made a video message introducing McCormick at the Republican National Convention. He also reportedly referred to himself as a "lifelong Republican" during an appearance at the Texas Tribune's Tribfest.

Despite these actions and his occasional breaks with the party, Fetterman has addressed speculation about leaving the Democratic Party. He stated that there are no Republicans who align with Democratic stances on issues such as pro-choice policies or LGBTQ+ rights. "How many times do I have to say it? And that's the point. So wait until after the midterms and see what happens," Fetterman remarked. He added that a Democratic victory would make it mathematically possible to retain the Senate majority, particularly given his ability to win in a state like Pennsylvania.

Fetterman's office did not respond to a request for comment on these matters.