Democratic Senator John Fetterman said on Saturday that it is “entirely possible” his party could regain control of the Senate in the midterm elections, while also suggesting that decisions about his own future should wait until after polling. Speaking to CBS News at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Fetterman said: “Let’s revisit after the midterm.” He made similar remarks when asked whether he plans to remain in the Democratic Party, saying he does not “have a reason to” leave and adding, “I am not a Republican”. Democrats’ Senate ProspectsFetterman’s comments came as Democrats head into the midterm cycle with an uphill task to win back the upper chamber. There are 53 Republicans in the Senate, and Democrats are working against a political map that has been viewed as more favourable to the GOP. However, Fetterman said the political environment has shifted as affordability concerns have persisted under the Trump administration and as the war with Iran has proved unpopular. He suggested that these factors have improved Democrats’ prospects for winning a majority. The Pennsylvania Democrat, who helped deliver a key victory in 2022 after a closely watched race, has faced scrutiny in recent years over his divergence from parts of his party. Asked whether he would depart the Democrats, he said he remains in the party and indicated he would decide after the midterm results. “What happens if I happen to be 51 — I don’t know,” he said, describing Pennsylvania’s role in his argument about the scale of what is mathematically possible. No Path As A RepublicanFetterman also addressed the idea that he might seek election outside the Democratic Party. He said there is “no path as a Republican” and argued that Republicans do not align with voters in a state like Pennsylvania, referring to the absence, in his view, of a “90% Democratic vote line” within the GOP. He also cited policy differences, including positions he described as lacking within the Republican Party on issues such as abortion and support for gay rights. He urged people to wait until after the midterm, saying the outcome would clarify what he does next. Fetterman said he has been fundraising for a possible campaign for re-election in 2028, but indicated any decision would be made after the midterms. He highlighted that Pennsylvania, along with Wisconsin, are the only states with one Democrat and one Republican senator, while Maine has a Republican and an independent who caucuses with Democrats. He noted that Pennsylvania has alternated between supporting Democratic and Republican presidential candidates in recent elections. Israel, Shutdowns And SchumerFetterman also pointed to friction between himself and parts of the Democratic Party. He referenced what he described as the party’s energy, mentioning a nearby event involving the controversial streamer Hasan Piker, and he suggested that some Democratic voters and activists are shifting in ways that increase his concerns about direction within his caucus. He cited Israel policy as a factor in his divergence, saying more members of his group have become increasingly “anti-Israel”. Separately, he said he has broken with the broader Democratic position on recent government shutdowns, arguing that he is “putting the country over the party” and prioritising workers. Asked about Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s future if Democrats take control, and whether he would support him, Fetterman said Schumer would likely remain leader because “there’s no one making a move”. Fetterman also responded to a Marist poll that shows Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek up eight points in Iowa, calling it “shocking”. He said Schumer has recruited what he described as an “incredibly strong class” for the elections. He said he would not focus on disagreements with Schumer ahead of the midterm outcome, adding that such efforts are “irrelevant” until voters have decided. Join the discussion? 28 September 2026
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