Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro avoided saying whether he would support Sen. John Fetterman if he decides to run for reelection in the state in 2028.
Speaking at a Christian Science Monitor press event in Washington, Shapiro was asked if Fetterman is “someone that you admire and would support for reelection.”
“John will decide if he’s going to run for reelection. I appreciate his service,” Shapiro replied before pivoting, according to Politico. Asked if he likes Fetterman, Shapiro said “of course.” “And we all work together to do good things for the people of Pennsylvania.”
The two Democrats have had a testy relationship, with Fetterman criticizing Shapiro in his 2025 memoir for acting out of “political ambition.” He said he was also caught on a hot mic calling him a “f—ing a–hole” during a Zoom meeting while the two served on the state’s pardon board. He added that the two no longer speak. Shapiro said they do speak and had a meeting with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy “a few weeks ago.”
Fetterman has not announced whether he will run but recently said he is “up 15 points” in Pennsylvania.
Speaking on MS Now this week, Fetterman was asked about his thoughts on what the “message needs to be to win in the midterms and have a chance” in the 2028 presidential elections.
“I’m up 15 points, that just came out yesterday. The most difficult state in the country. I’m up 15 points. I’ve been trying to be the voice of reason through all of this,” the senator claimed, in reference to the immigration-related fallout following ICE operations in Minneapolis.
Fetterman, however, has gained detractors in the state, particularly former progressive allies. Some have ramped up their efforts to unseat him in 2028, launching a website that includes opposition research and a link to request donation refunds from his campaign.
NBC News detailed earlier this month that the Working Families Party, which supported Fetterman’s 2022 run, is now seeking to unseat him in 2028. The group launched its initiative last November and the website on Friday. Over 400 people signed up to run against Fetterman, volunteer in a campaign to that end or fund a primary challenger, the group said.
Top Democrats have also been planning Fetterman’s ouster for months, according to a different report from October.
Axios noted that potential primary challengers are already criticizing Fetterman, even if the election is almost three years away. They include Reps. Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio, as well as former Rep. Conor Lamb, insiders told the outlet.
They have all bashed Fetterman, with Boyle calling him “Trump’s favorite democrat” and saying he visited Mar-a-Lago to “kiss the ring.”
Originally published on Latin Times
