John Fetterman Just Made a Political Promise Democrats Are Not Going to Like

In a nice change of pace from the usual inter-party griping and sniping, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has paid the highest of compliments to his fellow Pennsylvanian, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) – he won't campaign against McCormick if the Republican decides to run for reelection in 2030.

When asked by an interviewer this week if he would support or oppose his state colleague in future elections, Fetterman responded, “Well, I would absolutely never move against my friend,” and called McCormick a “great guy.” 

Fetterman refused to answer whether or not he'd go as far as endorsing his friend or campaigning for him.

NEW: Fetterman pledges not to campaign against Republican Dave McCormick

“I would never, ever move against my friend,” Fetterman told me in an interview.

It’s not clear whether Fetterman will still be in politics in 2030, when McCormick’s seat opens up, but his promise is super unusual from a member of the opposite party and one of the clearest signs of his political alliance with McCormick yet.

His comments follow the two senators standing up a joint fundraising committee last month.

As is noted above, the two took the unusual step of organizing a joint fundraising committee to capitalize on donors who want to support both senators. 

The new political action committee, called Common Ground PA, is accepting donations from those who want to support both purple state senators. 

“This group of donors value the collaboration exhibited by Senators McCormick and Fetterman for Pennsylvania and want to support both of them,” a spokesperson told The Center Square, a local outlet.

The relationship between the two men is a rare example of genuine bipartisan friendship in a town where crossing the aisle can sometimes be seen as a capital offense. 

 

This isn't your typical uniparty stuff, and the duo proved it after they salvaged the colossal unforced error made earlier this summer by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D). In a petty, politically-motivated move, Shapiro refused to set up a display in the Pennsylvania pavilion at the Great American State Fair that was held on the National Mall in DC as part of the America 250 celebrations.

When Sens. Fetterman and McCormick heard that visitors were being met with an empty room instead of the best of the Keystone State, they joined forces and made sure Pennsylvania got the showcase it deserved – and Shapiro had refused to provide.

And that episode probably tells you more about their relationship than anything else. Fetterman and McCormick disagree on plenty, but they have repeatedly shown they're willing to put Pennsylvania ahead of party politics.

That doesn't mean Fetterman is suddenly becoming a Republican, or that McCormick has gone squishy. It means two senators from opposite parties have managed to figure out something increasingly rare in Washington: you can fight over policy without treating the guy across the aisle like your mortal enemy.

Whether Fetterman will actually endorse McCormick four years from now is another question entirely. But promising not to help Democrats take him out? That'll do.

Fetterman is up for reelection in 2028, so now we need to know what role, if any, McCormick plans to play when the shoe is on the other foot.