Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman mistakenly called himself a “lifelong Republican” while answering a question Saturday at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, then corrected the remark and said he remained a Democrat.
The comment came after an attendee asked why he did not become an independent. Fetterman laughed after CBS News correspondent Major Garrett noted the error, according to multiple reports. Fox News reported that Fetterman then said he had no reason to leave the Democratic Party.
Fetterman has faced questions about his party affiliation because he has differed with Democrats on some issues. At the event, he said it was possible Democrats could regain Senate control in the midterm elections, CBS News reported. Asked about his own plans, he said, “Let’s revisit after the midterm.”