Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman (D) and Dave McCormick (R) have formed a rare bipartisan joint fundraising committee called Common Ground PA, according to a Federal Election Commission filing from July 6, marking an unusual cross-party partnership in an era of deep partisan divides.
With joint fundraising committees, donors can write a single large check that is then distributed to participating committees, rather than making separate contributions to each candidate or group. The Common Ground PA committee includes four participants: Every Vote PAC and Fetterman for PA from Fetterman’s side, and Pennsylvania Honor and Friends of Dave McCormick from McCormick’s side.
The partnership is striking because joint fundraising committees between senators from opposing parties are extraordinarily rare. Presidential candidates have historically used such structures to bulk up their war chests ahead of general elections, but it’s uncommon for the participants to be affiliated with different political parties, according to The Washington Post.
The move comes amid ongoing speculation that Republicans are quietly courting Fetterman to switch parties. Fetterman, a centrist Democrat, has at times bucked establishment Democrats and voted with Republicans on key issues, including supporting stricter immigration policies and voicing stronger support for Israel as it wages war in Gaza. In May, Fetterman published an essay in The Washington Post stating he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party, writing that he would “continue working across the aisle” while remaining “committed” to the party, even as he acknowledged that his independent streak puts him “at odds with the party.”
The unusual committee has already drawn criticism from some Pennsylvania Democrats. Democratic strategist J.J. Abbott wrote on X that “Fetterman is betraying his own donors,” according to reporting from PennLive.
Sources
- The Washington Post — confirmed the formation of Common Ground PA, the July 6 FEC filing date, the four participating PACs, how joint fundraising committees work, and Fetterman’s May essay stating he has no plans to switch parties
- The Hill — reported on the rare bipartisan nature of the committee and Fetterman’s voting record with Republicans
- PennLive — reported Democratic strategist J.J. Abbott’s criticism of the committee
