Fetterman rejects progressive label in push toward center

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) insisted that he is not a progressive, as he has been labeled, with a recent streak of stances upsetting the left flank of the Democratic Party.

Many saw the former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor as a progressive candidate in the 2022 election, but he told NBC News he is just a Democrat who is “very committed to choice,” citing his stances on Israel and immigration, as he seeks to brand himself as more of a centrist.

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“I’m not a progressive,” Fetterman said. “I just think I’m a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. But with Israel, I’m going to be on the right side of that. And immigration is something near and dear to me, and I think we do have to effectively address it as well.”

Fetterman has been fierce in his support of Israel in its war against Hamas, which has caused more liberal activists to express their disappointment with the senator. Despite criticism from progressives, Fetterman has insisted that Israel needs to be able to destroy Hamas to ensure peace.

He has also been a vocal opponent of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) remaining in the Senate after the New Jersey Democrat was indicted on corruption charges.

“He needs to go,” Fetterman told NBC News. “I don’t understand why he can be here, having expelled [former Rep. George] Santos. But I’m sure there might be a very innocent explanation of having gold bars in your mattress and overstuffed envelopes of cash.”

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The Pennsylvania Democrat has contended that Menendez’s alleged crimes are worse than Santos’s. The latter was expelled by the House of Representatives earlier this month.

Fetterman was elected last year, beating Republican Mehmet Oz, and took a leave of absence from the Senate in February to deal with depression related to a stroke he suffered in 2022.