Sen. John Fetterman says it’s ‘entirely possible’ that Democrats will take back the Senate, and says ‘let’s revisit after the midterms’ his plans

The Democratic senator. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Saturday that it’s “entirely possible” that his party could take control of the Senate in the midterm elections, but he also left the door open on his own political future.

“Let’s come back after the midterms,” Fetterman told CBS News’ Major Garrett at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin.

Democrats faced an uphill battle heading into the midterm cycle as they sought control of the upper chamber, with 53 Republicans currently in the Senate and a map that appeared more favorable to the Republican Party. But as affordability problems persist within the Trump administration and amid the unpopular war with Iran, things appear to be improving for Democrats as they aim to secure a majority in the Senate.

Fetterman, who delivered Democrats a crucial victory in a closely watched 2022 race, has been under scrutiny in recent years for breaking with his party, sparking questions about his future. Asked if he would leave the Democratic Party, Fetterman said Saturday that he had “no reason to.” And he emphasized, “I’m not a Republican.” But he warned that people should wait until the midterm elections to “see what I do.”

“Let’s see what happens if I’m 51 — I don’t know,” Fetterman said.

Fetterman shocked many Democrats when he made a video appearance at the midterm Republican convention Earlier this month, he introduced his counterpart, Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, while pledging to work with President Trump on steel.

But Fetterman said Saturday, “I have no path as a Republican.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat said: “There are no Republicans with a 90% Democratic voting line. There is no pro-choice, there is no pro-gay community, which does not exist in the Republican Party. »

“How many times do I have to say it? And that’s the point. So wait until after the midterms and see what happens,” he said. “And now if we win and I’m 51, people can remember, ‘Hey, this is why it’s mathematically possible to maintain the majority,’ because I was able to win a state like Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania is one of only two states in the country represented by a Democrat and a Republican in the Senate, alongside Wisconsin. A third state, Maine, has a Republican senator and an independent who is talking with Democrats. Pennsylvania has fluctuated between support for Democratic and Republican presidents in recent elections.

On the question of whether he will seek re-election in 2028Fetterman said he has been actively fundraising, but he also indicated the decision would come after the midterms.

Fetterman asked the question: “Where is the Democratic Party right now? He highlighted his participation in a nearby event with a controversial streamer Hasan Piker and “energy” within the party, which has seen a string of victories for insurgent Democrats in recent months. He cited his commitment to Israel as an issue highlighting his divergence with some party members, adding, “more and more members of my caucus are becoming more and more anti-Israel.”

He also highlighted recent government shutdowns as an issue on which he diverged from the majority of Democrats, arguing that he was “putting country before party” and fighting for workers.

“Do you think it’s right and smart to shut down our government? No, Democrats, we used to say, ‘No, don’t ever do that,'” Fetterman said. “And that put me at odds with my caucus, saying, ‘That’s wrong.'”

Fetterman said he “chose to be a country rather than a party, knowing that some of these decisions are going to put me at odds.”

Asked whether he expected Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to remain leader if Democrats won the majority, and whether he would vote for him, Fetterman said, “Yeah, I mean, nobody’s moving.”

Fetterman called Marist poll that shows Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek an eight-point jump in Iowa is “shocking,” among other races where Democrats are leading in some polls. He highlighted Schumer’s recruiting efforts, saying, “If people are mad at Chuck Schumer, there’s no denying it, he’s recruited an incredibly strong class.” »

“I’m not sharpening blades for Chuck Schumer, and there may be people who refuse to say it, but it doesn’t help us to go after our leader because we have no idea until we wait until the midterms,” ​​Fetterman said. “It doesn’t matter until what happens in the midterms.”