Fetterman’s Former Progressive Supporter Intensifies Primary Challenge, Alleges Betrayal

The Pennsylvania affiliate of the Working Families Party has escalated its opposition to Sen. John Fetterman with the launch of a new website dedicated to recruiting candidates to challenge him in a future primary election.

The website, PrimaryFetterman.com, funded by the Working Families Party PAC, features a direct message to voters: “We supported John Fetterman in 2022. Since then, he’s sold us out. It’s time to replace him.”

The group specifically criticizes the Democratic senator for supporting “more of Trump’s nominees than any Democratic Senator” and claims he “consistently skips votes and Senate work.” The site also provides a mechanism for previous Fetterman donors to request refunds of their contributions.

This formal campaign to replace Fetterman was initially announced in November, marking a significant break between the progressive organization and the senator they once backed. The Working Families Party describes itself as “a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful.”

When questioned about the primary threat last year, Fetterman appeared unfazed, telling Fox News, “I guarantee whoever they put up, they’re going to make me look the reasonable guy that’s going to work with both sides together and find a way for Pennsylvania.”

Fetterman, who won his seat in the closely watched 2022 midterm elections, isn’t scheduled to face reelection until November 2028. His first term has been marked by positions that sometimes diverge from progressive Democratic orthodoxy, which has frustrated some of his former supporters on the left.

In recent weeks, Fetterman has taken stands that put him at odds with elements of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. He publicly urged fellow Democrats to “resist the destructive tendencies to push extreme positions” like abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a post on X last Thursday, he advocated a more moderate immigration position: “Secure the border. Deport all the criminals. Stop targeting the hardworking migrants in our nation.”

The Pennsylvania senator further distanced himself from many in his party by expressing support for potential military action against Iran under President Donald Trump if deemed necessary. “Sure, absolutely,” Fetterman said during a CNN appearance. “If it continues to make more sense, absolutely. I think I was the only Democrat that fully supported our strike of their Iranian nuclear facilities last year.”

This emerging rift highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic coalition, particularly between centrist pragmatists and more ideologically progressive factions. The Working Families Party’s challenge represents a growing willingness among progressive organizations to primary sitting Democratic officials they perceive as insufficiently aligned with their policy priorities.

Political analysts note that intra-party challenges have become increasingly common in both major parties, with progressive groups in particular using primary campaigns as leverage to push elected officials leftward on key issues. However, unseating an incumbent senator remains a formidable challenge, especially given Fetterman’s continued name recognition and his unique political brand in Pennsylvania.

The Working Families Party indicated it is already taking concrete steps in its primary campaign, including training potential candidates, recruiting volunteers, and soliciting donations to build the infrastructure needed to mount a serious challenge when Fetterman’s seat is next contested.

For his part, Fetterman appears to be positioning himself as a moderate bridge-builder in an increasingly polarized political landscape, betting that Pennsylvania voters will reward his willingness to work across the aisle rather than adhere to strict ideological litmus tests.