Despite growing criticism and calls to replace him with a Democrat who falls more in line with the party, Fetterman continues to defend his voting record. 

Both Democrats and Republicans have said Fetterman should switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. But Fetterman continues to push back on this, fiercely defending himself as a Democrat in his recent appearance on Fox News.

When asked if he would run as a Republican in his 2028 reelection campaign, Fetterman stated he’s a Democrat with “reasonable” views.

“My voting record actually reflects that I am a Democrat,” he said. “What’s changed me with many of my other colleagues is I don’t agree, and I use extreme rhetoric … but I support what I think most Americans should agree with these things.”

While Fetterman maintains he’s a Democrat, polling shows he is favored more by Republicans than those within his own party. 

Fetterman had a 22% approval rating from Democratic respondents, with 62% disapproving of the senator, according to a February Quinnipiac University poll. 

The same poll found that 74% of Pennsylvania Republicans supported Fetterman’s job performance, while 18% did not. 

Fetterman pointed to the Democratic Party becoming an “open border party” as one of the topics on which he disagrees with his party colleagues. 

FETTERMAN BACKS WICKER’S CALL TO RESTART ATTACKS IN IRAN

Outside of immigration policies, Fetterman said there are “many” areas he disagrees with Republicans. 

“I can’t be a Republican because in many other areas I disagree on that,” he said. “So, whether I am politically homeless or whatever, I’m staying in my party, and I’m not sure why the problem is with me and my reasonable views.”

“The Democratic Party has [been] incredibly impossible to resist their worst urges and the excesses that cost us the elections back in 2024,” he continued.