GOP Chairman Considers Backing Fetterman for Reelection if He Switches Parties

Pennsylvania Republican Party leader says he's spoken with potential Senate candidates, but would support Fetterman as a Republican

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:55pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty political office space, with a lone desk and chair as the only focal point, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation.As partisan divides deepen, a Pennsylvania senator's potential party switch could reshape the state's political landscape.Harrisburg Today

Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Greg Rothman said he's spoken with several people interested in running for U.S. Senate in 2028, but supporting incumbent Democrat John Fetterman isn't off the table either - as long as he switches parties. Rothman claimed Fetterman has been 'making more sense than any Democrat in America' and that the GOP would back his reelection bid if he became a Republican.

Why it matters

Fetterman's growing distance from the Democratic Party and popularity among Republicans has raised speculation about a potential party switch, which could shake up the 2028 Senate race in Pennsylvania. This reflects broader divisions within the Democratic Party and the GOP's efforts to court moderate or conservative-leaning Democrats.

The details

Rothman said he has not directly spoken to Fetterman about switching parties, but believes the senator's positions on issues like immigration, the Iran war, and support for some of President Trump's nominees put him at odds with most Democrats. Recent polling has shown Fetterman is more popular among Republicans than Democrats in the state. Fetterman's fundraising also took a dip in 2025, potentially signaling his standing with his party has weakened. However, Fetterman has repeatedly rejected the idea of switching parties over the past few years.

  • Rothman has been the Pennsylvania Republican Party chairman since February 2025.
  • Recent Quinnipiac University polling was conducted in mid-February 2026.

The players

Greg Rothman

The chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party since February 2025, and a state senator representing the suburbs of Harrisburg.

John Fetterman

The Democratic U.S. senator from Pennsylvania who has increasingly distanced himself from his party on several key issues.

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What they’re saying

“We're still trying to wrestle with what happens if John Fetterman switches party and becomes a Republican.”

— Greg Rothman, Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman

“Look, there are 20% of the issues that he's with us on, they're pretty big issues right now, immigration and the war in Iran and our ally of Israel, but there's 80% of the issues that I don't think our party will agree with him on.”

— Greg Rothman, Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman

“I would rather be a united Republican Party than a Democratic Party where the governor isn't talking to the senior senator.”

— Greg Rothman, Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman

What’s next

If Fetterman runs for reelection in 2028 as a Democrat, he may face primary challenges from U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Chris Deluzio, and former U.S. Reps. Conor Lamb and Susan Wild.

The takeaway

Fetterman's growing distance from the Democratic Party and popularity among Republicans has raised speculation about a potential party switch, which could reshape the 2028 Senate race in Pennsylvania. This reflects broader divisions within the Democratic Party and the GOP's efforts to court moderate or conservative-leaning Democrats.