John Fetterman experiences growing isolation
The Pennsylvania senator has long embraced a go-it-alone approach. Following an article revealing staff concerns regarding his mental health, he now faces a significant lack of political backing from his fellow Democrats.
TroibNews 
John Fetterman has long found himself politically isolated, and his reluctance to nurture professional relationships is starting to have consequences.
Following a revealing article in *New York* magazine detailing significant concerns among current and former staff regarding his mental and physical health, few fellow Democrats have rushed to support Fetterman. The Pennsylvania senator strongly denies any claims of being unfit for office, yet he isn't engaging in standard damage control, nor are many top party members stepping up to defend him.
Instead, there’s increased private conversation about potential primary challenges to Fetterman. Recently, some Pennsylvania Democrats have begun informally reviewing what might happen if he were to resign and discussing possible replacements, even as Fetterman promises to fulfill his term through 2029.
Even among his fellow Democrats in Pennsylvania, who would typically be expected to support their state's senator, there has been an absence of vocal backing.
“I have had no contact or conversation with him, so I have no way of weighing in on that,” said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan when asked about the situation. She added, “I couldn’t tell you” when she last spoke with him.
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon stated she hadn’t spoken to Fetterman “recently” and was unfamiliar with the “underlying facts” surrounding his circumstances, but noted that the article “obviously raises questions.”
Rep. Summer Lee, who represents a district that includes Fetterman’s town, also remarked that she hadn’t recently communicated with him and emphasized that the opinions of Pennsylvanians matter more than hers: “I hope they read it.”
This situation has showcased Fetterman’s dynamics within a party that once regarded him as a potential future leader but has since distanced itself due to his evolving political identity. Public support for Fetterman has primarily emerged from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a few Democrats with whom he has established connections.
Interestingly, the most robust defense for Fetterman has come from a Republican.
Sen. Dave McCormick told PMG that Fetterman is “authentic and a fighter,” asserting that “these disgraceful attacks against him are not the John that I know and respect.” He added that he and Fetterman share a “great relationship, both professionally and personally.”
Fetterman chose not to comment for this article. However, in a Tuesday interview with CNN, he dismissed the New York piece as “a one-source hit piece” filled with “absolute false things.” He rejected allegations that he had missed medical appointments or neglected his medication.
Fetterman's independent attitude has been evident throughout his career. Although progressives once rallied around him, he has never been warmly embraced by the Democratic establishment. During his 2022 Senate primary, only a select few elected Democrats endorsed him, and as far back as his tenure as mayor of Braddock, he garnered mixed reactions from party members.
His current and former aides are not surprised by Fetterman’s isolation at this challenging point in his career.
“He’s never been somebody that has all these long-standing relationships with other elected officials,” remarked a Fetterman adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “That's been his whole career. So I don’t think it’s abnormal when it comes to him to not see an outpouring of defense or support for him.”
The adviser opined that voters appreciate Fetterman’s lack of traditional political camaraderie and that “he partly got elected for that reason.”
Recent polls from Morning Consult indicate a rise in Fetterman's popularity in Pennsylvania, with Republican voters increasingly approving of him, while Democratic voters continue to stand by him despite some criticisms from the left. Fifty percent of state voters rated his job performance positively, compared to 35 percent who disapproved. However, a broader survey of adults across the nation portrays a different narrative, revealing an underwater approval rating among Democrats and independents, though still favorable among Republicans.
Schumer affirmed Fetterman’s importance, describing him as an “all-star” who is “doing a good job.” Peter Welch, who entered the Senate alongside Fetterman, indicated he had “recently had dinner with Senator Fetterman” and assured that “he’s a friend and he’ll continue to support him.” Rep. Chris Deluzio, also a Democrat from western Pennsylvania, noted that Fetterman has been “up front in the past about his mental health treatment,” asserting that “he should get a chance to weigh in and address the reports here.”
Rep. Dwight Evans, who has faced his own health challenges due to a stroke in 2024, said he harbored “no” concerns about Fetterman's fitness but acknowledged they hadn’t spoken recently, which he dismissed as “par for the course.”
Previously, Democrats rallied around Fetterman during critical moments, such as when he experienced a stroke during his 2022 campaign, with prominent party members like then-Sen. Bob Casey strongly advocating for him. They also supported him when he sought treatment for clinical depression earlier this year, hailing him for his courage in discussing his mental health challenges—a notable shift from how past officials have approached such issues.
However, Fetterman’s personal and professional backing seems to have waned since those events. Progressives who once championed him online have become disenchanted over his firm stance on Israel and meetings with Donald Trump. His congressional office has lost staff, and Casey, who was a key supporter, is no longer in the Senate.
The *New York* magazine article noted claims from former aides that Fetterman has been avoiding medical appointments, alienating close acquaintances, and possibly not taking his medication.
These revelations have intensified existing rifts within the party. Even prior to the latest accusations, there had been discussions among Democrats about potential primary challenges against Fetterman, including from current and former congressional members.
Talk of a contested primary against the party’s own incumbent in such a critical state has surged, even with the election not scheduled until 2028. Fetterman’s former primary challenger, ex-Rep. Conor Lamb, has recently attracted attention by criticizing both Trump and Fetterman.
“I’ve seen politics be hard on people so I’m concerned for the Fettermans,” Lamb said. “I think I share the feeling of many that I don’t know his true condition, but if he is okay, as he says, I don’t understand why he’s rarely seen in our state and he doesn’t answer constituent questions on things like his vote for [Attorney General] Pam Bondi or his advocacy for war with Iran.”
When asked about potentially challenging Fetterman, Lamb stated he is “not considering any campaign right now,” insisting that his recent public demonstrations against Trump are meant for “just trying to help others.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Following a revealing article in *New York* magazine detailing significant concerns among current and former staff regarding his mental and physical health, few fellow Democrats have rushed to support Fetterman. The Pennsylvania senator strongly denies any claims of being unfit for office, yet he isn't engaging in standard damage control, nor are many top party members stepping up to defend him.
Instead, there’s increased private conversation about potential primary challenges to Fetterman. Recently, some Pennsylvania Democrats have begun informally reviewing what might happen if he were to resign and discussing possible replacements, even as Fetterman promises to fulfill his term through 2029.
Even among his fellow Democrats in Pennsylvania, who would typically be expected to support their state's senator, there has been an absence of vocal backing.
“I have had no contact or conversation with him, so I have no way of weighing in on that,” said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan when asked about the situation. She added, “I couldn’t tell you” when she last spoke with him.
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon stated she hadn’t spoken to Fetterman “recently” and was unfamiliar with the “underlying facts” surrounding his circumstances, but noted that the article “obviously raises questions.”
Rep. Summer Lee, who represents a district that includes Fetterman’s town, also remarked that she hadn’t recently communicated with him and emphasized that the opinions of Pennsylvanians matter more than hers: “I hope they read it.”
This situation has showcased Fetterman’s dynamics within a party that once regarded him as a potential future leader but has since distanced itself due to his evolving political identity. Public support for Fetterman has primarily emerged from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a few Democrats with whom he has established connections.
Interestingly, the most robust defense for Fetterman has come from a Republican.
Sen. Dave McCormick told PMG that Fetterman is “authentic and a fighter,” asserting that “these disgraceful attacks against him are not the John that I know and respect.” He added that he and Fetterman share a “great relationship, both professionally and personally.”
Fetterman chose not to comment for this article. However, in a Tuesday interview with CNN, he dismissed the New York piece as “a one-source hit piece” filled with “absolute false things.” He rejected allegations that he had missed medical appointments or neglected his medication.
Fetterman's independent attitude has been evident throughout his career. Although progressives once rallied around him, he has never been warmly embraced by the Democratic establishment. During his 2022 Senate primary, only a select few elected Democrats endorsed him, and as far back as his tenure as mayor of Braddock, he garnered mixed reactions from party members.
His current and former aides are not surprised by Fetterman’s isolation at this challenging point in his career.
“He’s never been somebody that has all these long-standing relationships with other elected officials,” remarked a Fetterman adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “That's been his whole career. So I don’t think it’s abnormal when it comes to him to not see an outpouring of defense or support for him.”
The adviser opined that voters appreciate Fetterman’s lack of traditional political camaraderie and that “he partly got elected for that reason.”
Recent polls from Morning Consult indicate a rise in Fetterman's popularity in Pennsylvania, with Republican voters increasingly approving of him, while Democratic voters continue to stand by him despite some criticisms from the left. Fifty percent of state voters rated his job performance positively, compared to 35 percent who disapproved. However, a broader survey of adults across the nation portrays a different narrative, revealing an underwater approval rating among Democrats and independents, though still favorable among Republicans.
Schumer affirmed Fetterman’s importance, describing him as an “all-star” who is “doing a good job.” Peter Welch, who entered the Senate alongside Fetterman, indicated he had “recently had dinner with Senator Fetterman” and assured that “he’s a friend and he’ll continue to support him.” Rep. Chris Deluzio, also a Democrat from western Pennsylvania, noted that Fetterman has been “up front in the past about his mental health treatment,” asserting that “he should get a chance to weigh in and address the reports here.”
Rep. Dwight Evans, who has faced his own health challenges due to a stroke in 2024, said he harbored “no” concerns about Fetterman's fitness but acknowledged they hadn’t spoken recently, which he dismissed as “par for the course.”
Previously, Democrats rallied around Fetterman during critical moments, such as when he experienced a stroke during his 2022 campaign, with prominent party members like then-Sen. Bob Casey strongly advocating for him. They also supported him when he sought treatment for clinical depression earlier this year, hailing him for his courage in discussing his mental health challenges—a notable shift from how past officials have approached such issues.
However, Fetterman’s personal and professional backing seems to have waned since those events. Progressives who once championed him online have become disenchanted over his firm stance on Israel and meetings with Donald Trump. His congressional office has lost staff, and Casey, who was a key supporter, is no longer in the Senate.
The *New York* magazine article noted claims from former aides that Fetterman has been avoiding medical appointments, alienating close acquaintances, and possibly not taking his medication.
These revelations have intensified existing rifts within the party. Even prior to the latest accusations, there had been discussions among Democrats about potential primary challenges against Fetterman, including from current and former congressional members.
Talk of a contested primary against the party’s own incumbent in such a critical state has surged, even with the election not scheduled until 2028. Fetterman’s former primary challenger, ex-Rep. Conor Lamb, has recently attracted attention by criticizing both Trump and Fetterman.
“I’ve seen politics be hard on people so I’m concerned for the Fettermans,” Lamb said. “I think I share the feeling of many that I don’t know his true condition, but if he is okay, as he says, I don’t understand why he’s rarely seen in our state and he doesn’t answer constituent questions on things like his vote for [Attorney General] Pam Bondi or his advocacy for war with Iran.”
When asked about potentially challenging Fetterman, Lamb stated he is “not considering any campaign right now,” insisting that his recent public demonstrations against Trump are meant for “just trying to help others.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
