Fetterman began his Senate campaign by emphasizing his support for organized labor, a minimum wage of $ 15, legalization of marijuana, and LGBTQ rights. In his introductory video, he appealed to residents in the famous divided state – his motto is “every country, every voice” – and pointed to his efforts to revive Braddock.
“I run because it closes the circle on a twenty-year journey I have been on,” he said in an interview with POLITICO. ‘I came to Braddock here in 2001 20 years ago, and it was a deliberate choice to do so. It was one of the most marginalized, forgotten, overlooked and abandoned communities in the state. And I wanted to work [for] issues – the central theme was inequality – and that’s what I did. ”
The lieutenant governor began his campaign with the support of two unions: United Steelworkers District 10 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, which together represent a total of nearly 80,000 workers in Pennsylvania.
Fetterman ran as an underdog for the Senate earlier in 2016 and unsuccessfully ran for Republican Senator Pat Toomey’s seat in a Democratic primary against party favorite Katie McGinty and former Representative Joe Sestak. In the middle period two years later, Fetterman defeated Democratic incumbent Lieutenant Gov. Mike Stack in a by-election and won on the same ticket as Gov. Tom Wolf in the double-digit general election.
Although Fetterman would not be the choice of the establishment again, he is now considered an early forerunner in the Democratic primary with a strong base in western Pennsylvania.
Political insiders consider Rep. Conor Lamb, who is from the same part of the state, and Rep. Brendan Boyle, another ally, as two potential candidates who could compete for some of the same voters as Fetterman. State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, who is monitoring the seat, could also argue with him for the support of progressives.
Fetterman did not take a stand on whether the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, unlike in 2016, should remain neutral in the outlook: “I did not really think so.” He said he had not yet spoken to Senate leader Chuck Schumer.
Asked about his position on the legislative filibuster, which needs 60 votes to pass most bills, he said it should be eliminated.
“Let’s be honest here: if Mitch McConnell wants something, it could make someone wait to be like, ‘Well, then I would probably be against it,'” he said.
Fetterman said he disagrees with lawmakers who want to limit additional stimulus tests, so phasing them out and starting with individuals earning more than $ 50,000 a year, calling it a ‘tragedy’ that a higher minimum wage seems like it will not be transferred. the economic rescue package.
Fetterman can challenge opponents in the Democratic primary from left and right. He is against a ban on hydrofracking, a critical industry in Pennsylvania, and has not accepted the “Green New Deal.” He is also a self-described forerunner who in 2016 Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed as president.
Fetterman said he agrees with parts of the Green New Deal – he wants to create millions of unions to switch from fossil fuels – and has promised not to take money from the fossil fuel industry. But when it comes to hydrofracking, he said: ‘We can not just throw [out] all these unions and all this work and say, ‘Now, just learn to code, and maybe you can go on with Google or somewhere.’ ‘
Toomey announced last year that he would not seek re-election in 2022. The race in Pennsylvania is widely seen as the best opportunity in the country for Democrats to get a seat in the chamber. For Republicans, it is a necessary election in their campaign to take back the 50-50 Senate, now controlled by the Democrats, because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to break ties.
The rare chance of an open Senate seat has attracted a number of potential candidates. Along with Lamb, Boyle and Kenyatta, other potential Democratic rivals include: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, Senator Sharif Street and Philadelphia City Councilor Helen Gym. John McGuigan, a former councilor in Norristown, declared his candidacy.
Among Republicans, former GOP representative Ryan Costello, former Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite, real estate developer Jeff Bartos, 2018 government candidate Paul Mango, former U.S. Attorney William McSwain, former U.S. Ambassador Carla Sands, 2020 candidate Sean Parnell, business consultant Craig Snyder and representatives Mike Kelly and Guy Reschenthaler are prospects.