“It’s nothing sinister,” Fetterman told the Washington Examiner in a brief interview Wednesday at the Capitol. “It’s pretty much — people have joint interest in the things that we happen to agree on, if we both represent Pennsylvania.”McCormick’s campaign previously described their joint fundraising committee, which will allow their campaigns and political action committees to split donations, as a chance for donors who “value the collaboration” between the senators “and want to support both of them.”
“It’s just about clicks to imply anything other than people … that support our views and the common issues that we agree on, and we want to advance their support,” Fetterman said of those trying to read in between the lines on the fundraising endeavor.The first-term senator declined to address accusations that the bipartisan venture, which could boost his beleaguered fundraising figures while aiding a member of the opposing party, was an indicator of possible reelection plans in 2028. Fetterman has not said whether he intends to run for a second term and has repeatedly rebuffed charges from fellow Democrats he might become a Republican.“You read anything more beyond that, then you are just going for clicks,” Fetterman responded when asked about reelection.A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found that more than half of Keystone State voters, 52%, want Fetterman to leave the Democratic Party, compared to 31% who want him to remain. An overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania Republicans, 77%, approve of the way Fetterman is handling his job, while just 19% of Democrats approve. Independents were split on his approval rating: 48% disapprove, and 44% approve.Fetterman proceeded to redirect the conversation to former Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, who withdrew from his race against Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) last week following several scandals, including sexual assault allegations. Fetterman was his most outspoken Democratic critic.“Let’s talk about P-Hustle,” Fetterman continued, referring to Platner’s alias on Reddit and the Kik messaging app. “Are you asking all of my colleagues that love that piece of s***? It’s not about my — some weird account.”Fetterman’s possible primary opponents, should he seek reelection and as a Democrat, have used the senators’ joint fundraising committee, named Common Ground PA, to land political jabs.Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., speaks during a confirmation hearing for Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
