Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman is done holding his tongue about the leftward lurch swallowing his own party.
Fetterman tore into the socialist wing now ascending in Democratic ranks, though he told the New York Post this week he has no intention of bolting, for the moment. “I said months ago, I said the Democratic Party is becoming an orgy of socialism. These recent elections vindicate my description,” he told the outlet after Democratic Socialists of America candidates swept three New York House primaries.
Those Tuesday contests reshuffled the party’s New York delegation. Former city Comptroller Brad Lander unseated Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District, while doctoral student Darializa Avila Chevalier ousted Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th, according to Roll Call. State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez captured the open 7th District seat. DSA backed two of the three, and all are favored to win in November given how blue their districts run. (RELATED: John Fetterman Says He’ll Start Wearing Suits If Graham Platner Proves He Didn’t Send ‘D*ck Pics’ To Minors)
Fetterman reserved his sharpest words for Avila Chevalier. “She wants to abolish the border, abolish prisons. That is a deeply disturbed individual,” he told the New York Post.
Fetterman calls out Democratic Party’s ‘orgy of socialism’ after primary turmoil https://t.co/QhfbaJoeuE pic.twitter.com/nFjJAx9kcQ
— New York Post (@nypost) June 27, 2026
He also mocked Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner, dubbing the pair “the dirtbag left’s new power couple.” Fetterman has dared Platner to release messages tied to a Kik account under the handle “phustle,” according to Fox News, and has pledged to ditch his trademark hoodie if Platner clears himself.
A party switch remains on the table. “Even if I changed my party, my votes or views wouldn’t change,” he told the New York Post, pointing to a May column where he branded himself an independent voice.
His standing back home looks shaky. A Philadelphia Inquirer/Suffolk University poll of city residents pegged his favorability at 24 percent against a 43 percent unfavorable rating, far below Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 62 percent, the Inquirer reported.
The pressure may not ease. Chris Rabb, a self-described democratic socialist who won a Philadelphia House primary this spring, is already floated as a 2028 challenger.