A new Quinnipiac University poll shows John Fetterman draws significantly more support from Pennsylvania Republicans than from Democrats, a striking reversal that underscores the Democratic senator’s deepening isolation within his own party. The survey, conducted July 9-13 and released Wednesday, found that 77% of Republicans approve of how Fetterman is handling his job as U.S. senator, compared to just 19% of Democrats.
That approval gap is so stark that Fetterman’s support among Republicans exceeds GOP Senator Dave McCormick’s approval among his own party members—68% of Republicans approve of McCormick’s performance. Overall, 48% of Pennsylvania voters approve of Fetterman and 41% disapprove, but the partisan breakdown reveals the true nature of his standing: 69% of Democrats disapprove of him, the highest disapproval number in the poll.
Fetterman has faced mounting criticism from his party since taking office in January 2023, largely due to his voting record. He has supported several of President Donald Trump’s nominees, including key picks for Trump’s cabinet and administration, a stance that has drawn fire from progressive Democrats and activist groups. His willingness to work across the aisle and publicly criticize the Democratic Party’s progressive wing has further strained his relationship with the base.
The poll results have prompted unusual political dynamics in Pennsylvania. More than half of registered voters—52%—said they would like to see Fetterman leave the Democratic Party altogether, a sentiment shared by both 57% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans. “The Democrats would like to show him the door. The Republicans seem to be welcoming him in. Thus is the political irony of Senator John Fetterman,” said Tim Malloy, a polling analyst at Quinnipiac, calling Fetterman’s approval among Republicans “stunningly high.”
Fetterman has insisted he remains committed to the Democratic Party. In a May opinion piece published in the Washington Post, he wrote: “I remain strongly pro-choice, pro-weed, pro-LGBT, pro-SNAP, pro-labor and even pro-rib-eye over bio slop.” He added that working across party lines “might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave.”
The senator’s political positioning became even more visible earlier this month when he and McCormick launched a joint fundraising committee called Common Ground PA. The move allows the two senators to pool donations from supporters who want to contribute to both campaigns, a rare bipartisan arrangement that drew criticism from some Democrats. U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat, called the joint fundraising effort “crazy stuff,” arguing that it amounted to Fetterman helping Republicans raise money to defeat Democrats in battleground races.
Fetterman’s approval numbers have been declining throughout his tenure. The new poll marks his lowest approval rating among Democrats since taking office. Despite the Democratic Party’s cooling toward him, Fetterman has not disclosed whether he plans to seek a second six-year term in 2028, when he will face reelection. U.S. Representatives Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio, along with former U.S. Representative Conor Lamb—who lost the 2022 Democratic primary to Fetterman—are all considered potential challengers in a Democratic primary.
The Quinnipiac poll surveyed 895 registered Pennsylvania voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. It also found that Governor Josh Shapiro maintains a 13-point lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity in the 2026 gubernatorial race, down from an 18-point lead in February.
Sources
- Philadelphia Inquirer — Reported the Quinnipiac poll findings showing Fetterman’s 77% approval among Republicans versus 19% among Democrats, and details on the joint fundraising committee with McCormick.
- Newsweek — Covered the poll results and Fetterman’s low approval among Democrats, providing context on his voting record and party isolation.
- Quinnipiac University Poll — Released the full poll data showing Fetterman’s approval ratings by party, voter sentiment on his party membership, and overall approval figures.
- The Hill — Reported on the launch of the Fetterman-McCormick joint fundraising committee Common Ground PA.
