Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is facing renewed criticism from members of his own party following a Wall Street Journal report about his interactions with constituents and Senate responsibilities, while Republican Sen. Dave McCormick has publicly defended his Pennsylvania colleague, as reported by Fox News.

The dispute intensified after the Journal published a report examining text messages involving Fetterman and his staff, along with interviews with former aides and others familiar with his office.

The report alleged that Fetterman had frequently canceled or declined meetings with constituents and other officials while devoting significant attention to media appearances and his advocacy on Israel.

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Fetterman rejected the characterization.

“Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous,” Fetterman said in a statement to CNN.

“No matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania,” he continued.

The report has nonetheless created a political problem for Fetterman as Democratic figures in Pennsylvania have publicly criticized him and some have raised the prospect of challenging him in the 2028 Democratic primary.

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Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., was among the Democrats to respond forcefully. Deluzio described the conduct outlined in the Journal report as “pathetic” and wrote that Fetterman “has no sense of duty.”

Deluzio subsequently acknowledged that he is considering a 2028 primary challenge against Fetterman.

Speaking during Pittsburgh's Labor Day Parade on Sept. 7, Deluzio said he had received encouragement to pursue a Senate campaign but emphasized that his immediate priority was the 2026 midterm election and his own House race.

“I’m thinking about it. I’ve gotten a lot of encouragement, today even,” Deluzio said when asked whether he was considering a run against Fetterman.

“But I am most focused on winning the midterms, my own race, flipping congressional seats in Pennsylvania,” he added.

Another Pennsylvania Democrat, Rep. Brendan Boyle, has also criticized Fetterman following the Journal investigation.

Boyle described the senator in harsh terms on social media, adding to the growing criticism from members of the state's Democratic delegation.

The criticism centers partly on examples detailed in the Journal report involving constituent meetings.

One incident involved three paralyzed military veterans from rural Pennsylvania who had traveled to Fetterman's office for a meeting concerning legislation affecting their care. According to the Journal, Fetterman canceled the meeting, with staff meeting with the veterans instead. The report said Fetterman subsequently went to an interview with Fox News to discuss Israel and the war in Iran.

The Journal also reported that Fetterman had declined other meetings and events, including an event involving Philadelphia's Children's Hospital and a funeral for police officers killed near his hometown.

The controversy has created an unusual political dynamic for Fetterman because McCormick, the Republican senator from Pennsylvania, has come to his defense.

“These stories are the latest example of outrageously disloyal staff and forces on the Left using anonymous leaks to cancel my friend John Fetterman,” McCormick said on X.

“They hate that he is an independent thinker who refuses to fall into line, so they want to silence him.”

TMGS: REPUBLICAN Sen. Dave McCormick says a disloyal staff and orchestrated left-wing campaign is targeting an independent voice, his friend Democrat U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. #getmarty #pittsburgh #kdkaradio #PoliticalSmear #SenatorFetterman #PennsylvaniaPolitics pic.twitter.com/FWvJtF43rn

— Marty Griffin (@MartyGriffinKD) September 8, 2026

The two senators have maintained a relatively close bipartisan relationship despite belonging to opposing parties. Both represent Pennsylvania, a closely contested state, and have worked together on several initiatives.

Fetterman has also said he would not support a Republican opponent against McCormick if McCormick seeks reelection in 2030.

“Well, I would absolutely never move against my friend,” Fetterman told reporters.

The senators also established a joint fundraising committee called Common Ground PA in July, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

The committee divides contributions between their respective campaign and leadership committees.

The two also appeared together over Labor Day weekend. McCormick said they toured Bell & Evans, a Pennsylvania chicken processing company, as part of their efforts to work together on state issues.

“He and I will continue to work together to deliver for Pennsylvania by saving jobs at US Steel, passing a new law to make housing more affordable, securing $600 million to replace the Delaware River Bridge, and delivering critical funding to protect Presque Isle State Park,” McCormick said.

Pennsylvania agriculture is second to none.

Grateful to tour Bell & Evans with my dad and @SenFettermanPA and see the incredible work they’re doing firsthand. More than 2,000 Pennsylvanians work here, helping feed families and power our Commonwealth’s economy. pic.twitter.com/CzT0cyafjC — Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) September 7, 2026

The political pressure on Fetterman comes as Pennsylvania Democrats begin looking toward the 2028 Senate election. Fetterman was elected to the Senate in 2022 and is scheduled to face voters again in 2028.

Deluzio has not announced a Senate campaign, and Fetterman has not announced whether he will seek another term.

For now, Fetterman remains a Democratic senator while McCormick continues to defend their bipartisan relationship.

At the same time, Democratic critics in Pennsylvania are openly questioning Fetterman's record and whether he should remain the party's Senate nominee in 2028.

The dispute illustrates the unusual political position Fetterman occupies within his party.

His public willingness to disagree with Democratic colleagues on issues including Israel has earned him support from some Republicans while creating friction with portions of the Democratic coalition.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, the immediate political contest remains focused on congressional races across Pennsylvania.

But the public criticism of Fetterman and Deluzio's acknowledgment that he is considering a primary challenge have already placed the senator's 2028 reelection prospects into the political conversation.

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