Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania is observing a decline in support among voters within his own party.
Over the past year, the senator has shifted more towards the center, with some even suggesting a lean towards Republican views, which has negatively impacted his approval ratings among Democrats in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as reported by Politico.
“Forty-nine percent expressed an unfavorable opinion of him, while 46 percent held a favorable view, according to the survey. In contrast, the poll indicated that 82 percent have a favorable view of Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, compared to 13 percent who view him unfavorably,” the report stated.
The poll, conducted by a Democratic polling firm as part of a survey for an upcoming mayoral primary, is considered an outlier when compared to other recent polls.
However, as Democrats contemplate a primary challenge against Fetterman, some experts believe this is a situation he should take seriously.
“In Pittsburgh, this is a critical moment for Fetterman,” remarked a Democratic strategist who requested anonymity.
Fetterman has faced criticism from some Democrats due to his steadfast support for Israel and for his meeting with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago prior to inauguration day.
Other recent polls in the Pittsburgh region indicate that his core supporters remain loyal to him.
A recent report has raised alarms about purported tensions between him and his wife, Gisele, concerning his health regimen, his stance on Israel, and her alleged conflicts with his staff.
In the article titled “All By Himself: John Fetterman insists he is in good health, but staffers past and present say they no longer recognize the man they once knew,” New York Magazine’s Intelligencer shares testimonies from current and former staff members who collaborated with the Pennsylvania Democrat. In May 2022, Fetterman experienced a significant stroke during his Senate campaign against Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The article details multiple reported events, including one from February 2023 that took place during a Democratic caucus retreat at the Library of Congress.
A staff member reported receiving an inquiry regarding Fetterman’s health after observing him seated alone at a table, quietly drinking a soda. The report also mentioned that a vehicle “almost hit” the legislator and described him as “wandering” on Capitol Hill.
Subsequently, doctors at George Washington University Hospital confirmed that Fetterman was experiencing severe dehydration, rather than a second stroke as was initially feared.
Shortly thereafter, during a discussion with then-Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Fetterman seemed nearly “catatonic,” raising concerns. On February 15, he was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center.
After his release, Fetterman fully resumed his Senate responsibilities and became increasingly vocal, especially on divisive topics such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, which often placed him at odds with other Democrats.
He was instrumental in calling for the resignation of former Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., amid allegations of corruption.
“Former and current staff members depict a picture of an unpredictable senator who has become nearly impossible to work with and whose mental health issues are more serious and complex than previously reported,” the article stated.
Following a letter from staffers expressing their feelings of “gutting betrayal” regarding Fetterman’s support for Israel after the Jewish state was attacked by Hamas in October 2023, resulting in 1,300 fatalities, the report claimed that Gisele confronted him about the bombing of refugee camps in Jerusalem, asking, “how can you support this?”
Gisele reportedly reached out to staffers with her concerns. Meanwhile, a Senate physician noted in December 2023 that he was “acting bizarrely” near the Senate subway and observed that he had not undergone bloodwork in several months.
The senator, who has a physically imposing presence, allegedly nearly knocked over individuals while traversing the Capitol. As stated in the magazine article, such occurrences exasperated his wife, who openly expressed her worries.
The report gained significant traction on social media, with Bloomberg columnist Matthew Yglesias describing it as “a very sad story here on a human level, but of course, it’s also politics and can’t be addressed purely on that level.”
