Sen. John Fetterman Appears at Republican Convention, Praises GOP Senator

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., appeared in a video at the Republican Party's midterm convention on September 9, 2026, in Dallas. In the video, Fetterman praised Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and expressed his willingness to work with President Donald Trump. "Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a commonsense Democrat," Fetterman stated. He emphasized his commitment to rejecting extremes and socialism, and highlighted McCormick as a senator who gets the job done for Pennsylvania. Fetterman also referenced a U.S. Steel mill in his message, indicating a collaborative effort to support the steel industry. McCormick thanked Fetterman for his friendship and courage. The reaction from the convention audience was mixed, with only a few attendees cheering, although there was loud applause when Fetterman concluded his remarks. Fetterman has developed a bipartisan relationship with McCormick, and they have launched a joint fundraising committee, which has drawn criticism from some Democrats. In a statement, Fetterman affirmed that he votes predominantly with his party and reiterated his commitment to being a Democratic vote in the Senate. Former aides expressed disapproval of Fetterman's appearance at the event, with one describing it as "pathetic" and questioning the wisdom of aligning with Trump, who has low approval ratings in Pennsylvania. McCormick defended Fetterman against criticism from former staff, suggesting that disloyalty from staff members is the real issue. The appearance followed a report detailing Fetterman's disengagement from constituents, which prompted McCormick to support him publicly.