U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean told Politico on Tuesday that she is “considering” a primary challenge to Sen. John Fetterman in the 2028 election cycle. Dean cited concerns about the senator’s family matters and health, as well as disappointment with his voting record, as reasons for the possible bid.
Potential rematch and family considerations
Dean, who previously ran against Fetterman in the 2018 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor on former Gov. Tom Wolf’s ticket, said any formal campaign would depend on discussions with her family. She emphasized that a Senate run would be a “rematch” of that earlier contest, though she stopped short of setting a definitive timeline.
Other Democrats entering the race
The announcement follows the filing of Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian American writer and activist from Philadelphia, who became the first Democrat to officially launch a 2028 campaign against Fetterman. Moor, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is running on an anti‑war platform that calls for ending U.S. involvement in Iran and expanding what he calls “universal domestic benefits,” including free health care, child‑care and affordable housing.
“We need to do away with the idea that Israel is a place where Jews have superior rights relative to Palestinians,” Moor told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “That is not consistent with my values as an American. I think it’s also a recipe for endless conflict. As Americans, we’re deeply implicated in Israeli apartheid. We fund it. We sustain it. We protect it.”
Progressive criticism of Fetterman
Progressive observers and civil‑rights advocates quickly responded to Moor’s entry. Alex Kane of Jewish Currents highlighted Fetterman’s vulnerability to a “total outsider candidate, a Palestinian American born in Gaza calling for accountability for ICE crimes and war crimes.” Jenin Younes, president and legal director of the American‑Arab Anti‑Discrimination Committee, praised Moor’s defense of the Bill of Rights while condemning what she called an “Israel‑first Senator.” Policy analyst Tariq Kenney‑Shawa warned on social media that Fetterman’s seat could be in jeopardy.
Dean is not the only sitting member of Congress weighing a run. Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania also told Politico that he is giving a potential 2028 Senate bid “serious thought.”
Fetterman’s record and party tensions
Fetterman has faced growing frustration within the state Democratic Party. Critics point to his support for military actions involving Iran, his repeated votes alongside Republicans on immigration enforcement, and his stance that there should be “no conditions for Israel” in Gaza. He has also dismissed claims of genocide against Palestinians as “appalling,” rejecting findings from a United Nations commission and major international human‑rights groups.
Party tensions intensified after Fetterman appeared in a video at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, introducing newly elected GOP Sen. Dave McCormick as a “great friend.” Despite the backlash, Fetterman told the Texas Tribune Festival that he has “no path as a Republican” and remains committed to the Democratic Party.
Looking ahead to 2028
Fetterman has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term. With multiple members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation openly evaluating bids, the 2028 Senate primary is shaping up to be a contentious battle over the direction of the state’s representation in Washington.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
