U.S. Sen. John Fetterman says he’d make a terrible Republican.
Fetterman, a Democrat from Braddock, has drawn the ire of many in his party for breaking with them on issues like border security and Israel and for occasionally aligning with President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
While Politico reported this week that some in the GOP are trying to persuade him to switch parties or become an independent, Fetterman dismissed the notion in an op-ed published Thursday in The Washington Post.
“Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first,” Fetterman wrote.
“Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats,” he added.
Fetterman said he is committed to working with colleagues, regardless of their party, to “find wins and deliver for my constituents.”
“It has become increasingly lonely to serve in that way, but I firmly believe it’s what is needed,” Fetterman wrote.
“My party cannot simply be the opposite of whatever President Donald Trump says. The president could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them,” he added. “Such pointless pile-ons and attacks are unproductive. The American people want us to work together to find solutions on issues they and our country face.”
Fetterman reported in the op-ed that protesters have followed him around Washington and shown up outside his Braddock home to rip him for his stances on issues including Israel, keeping the government open and securing the border.
“I refuse to cave on my conscience because Pennsylvania deserves someone who is honest and can work across the aisle,” Fetterman wrote.