Top Democrats in Pennsylvania are quietly organizing plans to challenge Senator John Fetterman in the 2028 Democratic primary, according to Axios.

While Fetterman remains a popular figure across the state, his moderate posture toward former President Trump is drawing ire from segments of his own party, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Fetterman, who triumphed in 2022 against Republican Mehmet Oz, flipped what had been a GOP Senate seat. Despite that victory, some Democrats argue he has strayed too far from the party base.

Nov 4, 2023; Altoona, Iowa, United States; Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman speaks at the Iowa Democrats Liberty and Justice Celebration. Mandatory Credit: Rachel Mummey-The Des Moines Register

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According to party insiders, possible challengers include U.S. Representatives Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio, as well as former Representative Conor Lamb. Some officials have already begun criticizing Fetterman years ahead of the primary.

At the heart of the backlash is Fetterman’s insistence on restraint in political rhetoric toward Trump supporters. During a recent public event, he said:

“I know and I love people who voted for President Trump. They are NOT fascists, they’re NOT Nazis, they’re NOT trying to destroy the Constitution. I REFUSE to call people Nazis or fascists. I would never compare anybody — anybody to Hitler.”

“Like Charlie Kirk, all I could say is let people grieve — give people the space. I’m not going to use that terrible thing and that assassination to make my argument and try to put out my views.”

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“It’s like, my God, he’s a father that had his neck blown out by a bullet. And now people have forgotten: President Trump was in my state — was shot in the head. Could you imagine where our nation would be if he were hit in the same way as Kirk? We really got to turn the temperature down.”

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Those remarks underscore Fetterman’s approach: rejecting harsh labels for Trump voters and warning against escalating political hostility.

Internally, Democrats see risk in allowing Fetterman to run unchallenged. Some believe his centrist positions could weaken turnout among progressive voters or invite criticism from within the party.

One Axios dispatch describes the looming primary field as a “maneuvering” among insiders aimed at forcing Fetterman off the ticket.

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Fetterman, however, has pushed back on the speculation. When Axios reported on the unfolding discussions, he responded via text, “Enjoy your clickbait!”

As of now, none of the potential challengers has formally declared a Senate run in 2028. Some have left the door open to run if Fetterman declines to seek reelection.

The internal debates among Pennsylvania Democrats signal fissures that could influence the 2028 Senate landscape in one of the nation’s key battleground states.

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