Senator John Fetterman isn’t up for reelection until 2028, but dissatisfaction among Pennsylvania Democrats is bubbling to the surface — and Conor Lamb, a former congressman and Fetterman’s 2022 primary rival, is seizing the moment.
While Fetterman remains largely absent from town halls and public Democratic forums, Lamb has been traveling across the state, showing up at events organized by progressive groups and engaging directly with voters — a move that many see as a potential prelude to a political comeback.
“I thought I was going to play Senator Fetterman,” Lamb quipped last Sunday at a town hall near Harrisburg, drawing laughter from the crowd.
A Party Divided Over Its Own Senator
Once hailed as a progressive rising star, Fetterman is now facing growing criticism from fellow Democrats. His vocal support for Israel during the war in Gaza, his backing of Trump’s military action in Iran, and his public jabs at Democratic colleagues have left many in his party frustrated — particularly the progressive wing.
Some groups, like Indivisible PA, have even called for his resignation. At a recent “No Kings” rally in Philadelphia, co-founder Leah Greenberg criticized Fetterman for aligning with Trump-era policies and failing to show up for progressive causes.
“Anyone seen John Fetterman here today?” she asked the crowd.
The response: boos.
Lamb Fills the Void
With Fetterman largely missing from the grassroots scene, Lamb has stepped in — appearing at over a dozen town halls, racking up thousands of miles across Pennsylvania, and drawing attention not just for his presence, but for his message.
He’s careful not to say he’s running for Senate — at least not yet — but he’s made clear he believes Fetterman has abandoned the values he campaigned on.
“When I see the person who beat me give up on every important issue he ran on,” Lamb said at a recent town hall, “it reminds me why I got into this in the first place: not just to help Democrats win, but to fight for the kind of country where truth still matters.”
The crowd responded with loud applause.
Fetterman Shrugs Off the Criticism
Fetterman, for his part, has brushed off the backlash, insisting he’s still a committed Democrat. He’s defended working with Republicans and has occasionally criticized Trump — particularly over tariffs and GOP cuts to social programs — though many in his party feel his attacks on fellow Democrats have done more damage than his critiques of the opposition.
His office declined to comment on Lamb’s recent activity.
A Familiar Face with New Momentum
Lamb is no stranger to tough races. In 2018, he won a deep-red congressional district outside Pittsburgh, becoming a rising Democratic star. But his 2022 Senate bid ended in a lopsided loss to Fetterman.
Now, three years later, he’s once again drawing crowds — and attention.
“He’s doing what a lot of us wish our current senator would do: show up and listen,” said Dana Kellerman, a progressive organizer in Pittsburgh.
At one event in Pittsburgh, when Fetterman and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick held a closed-door book launch, progressive groups held a public town hall of their own — and invited Lamb as the featured speaker.
He’s also staying active in the media, appearing on MSNBC, local radio, and speaking at high-profile events like the Unite for Veterans gathering in Washington, D.C.
Still, when asked directly whether he’ll run for Senate in 2028, Lamb deflects — saying his focus is on helping Democrats win key races in 2025 and 2026.
But among attendees at his events, there’s little doubt he’s testing the waters.
“The fact that he’s out here doing the work says everything,” said Janet Bargh, who attended the Harrisburg event. “If Fetterman won’t lead, we need someone who will.”
For now, Lamb’s role as Fetterman’s unofficial foil seems to be resonating — and the cheers at his events suggest a growing appetite among Democrats for a new direction.
