Sen. Fetterman more popular with Pa. Republicans than Democrats: poll

Published On: July 14, 2025

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is more popular among Pennsylvania Republicans than fellow Democrats, according to a new poll of state voters.

Susquehanna Polling and Research president James Lee told PennLive Tuesday that Fetterman’s overall approval rating among state voters is a “mediocre” 41%, compared to 37% who disapprove of him.

However, the eyebrow-raising result that 45% of Republicans approve of Fetterman while just 40% of Democrats do will surely get political tongues wagging from Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C.

Also, more Democrats (39%) disapprove of Fetterman than Republicans (37%), according to the poll that surveyed 713 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.

Fetterman has increasingly flummoxed Democrats for his seemingly shift to the right and willingness to support the Trump administration on Israel,

the bombing of Iran

and

border security

He long ago shrugged off the tag of “progressive,” angering many on the left.

Those voters have only grown more disenchanted with him for backing Israel and its military offensive into Gaza and most recently for scolding Democrats for not being critical of

anti-ICE raid protests that turned violent

Some have even questioned whether Fetterman’s decision-making is skewed following

a May report that raised concerns about his mental health recovery

Fetterman suffered a stroke in May 2022 and then entered inpatient treatment for depression in February 2023 shortly after taking office.

The senator has rejected accusations of erratic behavior and blamed reports of problems on disgruntled former staff members.

Lee said Fetterman, who is not up for re-election until 2028, is a “unique politician,” but he still found it “remarkable” that the Democratic senator is more popular with Republicans than Democrats.

“It’s hard to say how he fares in a reelection contest, which is still a few years away, but based on this latest poll his real vulnerability seems to be in a Democratic primary,” said Lee.

Pittsburgh-area Democratic strategist Mike Mikus echoed those comments, saying that Fetterman might have already reached “the point of no return” among Democratic voters.

“Senator Fetterman’s actions, including cozying up to Donald Trump and the numerous stories on his erratic behavior, have badly damaged his image,” said Mikus. “While he’s not up for re-election for three years, Fetterman has almost reached the point of no return.”

Mikus said he sees “virtually no way” that Fetterman avoids a primary challenge in 2028.

“If that opponent has pulse, it’s a near certainty that John Fetterman will end up being a one-term wonder,” said Mikus.

Many Democrats are hoping that former western Pennsylvania congressman Conor Lamb will challenge Fetterman if he runs for re-election in 2028.

Lamb, who has been holding rallies and town halls across the state, has said he does not intend to run after losing to Fetterman in the 2022 Senate Democratic primary.

Lee also noted that 22% of those polled did not have an opinion on Fetterman after he’s been in office for more than two years.

Fetterman is underwater in the Democratic stronghold of Philadelphia, Lee said, with just a 43% approval/48% disapproval rating.

In Pennsylvania’s conservative “T” region that covers rural counties through the middle and top of the state, Fetterman is doing better with a 41% approval rating but just 33% disapproval.

“This guy should consider switching parties if this trend keeps up,” quipped Lee.