Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator John Fetterman is throwing punches at a progressive group threatening to primary him over a budget vote that kept the government running.
This clash began when Fetterman, who campaigned as a progressive in 2022, voted to pass a budget bill to reopen the government, drawing sharp criticism from the Pennsylvania Working Families Party (WFP) and leading to their announcement on X of a primary challenge against him on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
The WFP didn’t hold back, accusing Fetterman of having “once again sold out working Pennsylvanians” in their fiery post on X.
Let’s be real—calling a vote to keep the government open a betrayal of working folks seems like a stretch, especially when shutdowns hit everyday Americans hardest.
Fetterman, never one to shy away from controversy, has also ruffled feathers among Democrats with his stances on foreign policy, immigration, and his willingness to engage diplomatically with President Donald Trump.
Unlike the typical party loyalist, he’s been outspoken against Democratic leaders for dragging their feet during a record-long government shutdown, arguing it was punishing ordinary citizens.
Not content to let the criticism simmer, Fetterman took to Fox News’ “The Story” to deliver a biting comeback to the WFP’s primary threat.
“Ooh, ooh, oh, I hope, promise. I hope so. Because I guarantee whoever they put up, they’re going to make me look the reasonable guy that’s going to work with both sides together and find a way for Pennsylvania,” Fetterman quipped, clearly relishing the chance to appear as the voice of moderation.
Talk about a masterclass in political jujitsu—turning a challenge into a chance to paint himself as the sensible middle ground while the progressive agenda looks increasingly out of touch.
Fetterman didn’t stop at mockery; he doubled down on defending his vote with a dose of common sense that’s rare in today’s partisan swamp.
“And now it’s an absolute lie. Voting to keep our government open, that was a vote to make sure that 42 million Americans get their SNAP,” he said on Fox News, cutting through the WFP’s rhetoric with hard numbers.
“And now we’re going to pay all these people, like the military and the Capitol Police and all of those folks, too. So now if they want to primary me … but my point, it’s like I’ve been on the side of common sense and I’ve always gonna put our country before party. And I think most people now realize that shutting our government down was wrong,” he continued, making it clear he’s not backing down.
Despite the friction with his party’s left flank, Fetterman has been adamant that he’s not abandoning the Democratic fold, even if his actions suggest a broader appeal.
His willingness to prioritize national stability over party orthodoxy might not win him friends among the progressive crowd, but it could resonate with Pennsylvanians tired of gridlock.
While the WFP gears up for a fight, Fetterman’s unapologetic stance—blending a rejection of shutdown politics with a jab at his critics—positions him as a wildcard who’s betting on pragmatism over ideology.
