Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman Considering Senate Run In 2022 But May Face Challengers On Both Sides
HARRISBURG (KDKA) - Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman says he's exploring a run for the United States Senate next year.
Fetterman confirmed the news to KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano Friday afternoon.
"We're exploring the race," Fetterman said. "We're talking about it. We're taking a look at everything. And that's honestly where we are at."
On social media Friday morning, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman posted an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer noting his interest in the U.S. Senate seat being given up by Senator Pat Toomey.
What I know to be True:
All work has dignity. All paychecks must too.
Union Way of Life is sacred + built this nation.
Healthcare is a basic human right.
LGBTQIA ????️???? deserves Equal Protection Under The Law.
Immigration Makes America, America ????????https://t.co/x7TVtn01oI
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) January 8, 2021
"I'm not trying to be clever or cute, but it's just where we're at," Fetterman said. "I can say that the support so far has been just overwhelming, and I'm humbled, but the exploration is part of this process."
Party primaries to pick nominees are more than 16 months away, but that's not stopping people from announcing interest in running for office.
"This election started the second Pat Toomey announced he wasn't going to seek reelection to a third term," said Republican political strategist Mike DeVanney.
It is clear Fetterman will not be alone in the Democratic primary. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan from Chester County and Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh are exploring bids too, according to Democratic strategist Mike Mikus.
"I don't know if this is just wishful thinking, there have been people mentioning Conor Lamb as a potential Senate candidate as well," Mikus said.
Republican strategist Mike DeVanney says several Republicans are exploring the race including former Lieutenant Governor Jeff Bartos, ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands, and local Congressman Guy Guy Reschenthaler.
"I think we will probably end up seeing seven to ten candidates running for that office," DeVanney said."It's a race that is intimately winnable, winnable for the Republicans."
There is no word from Fetterman when he might formally announce but raising money is really key. Reschenthaler already had $760,000 in the bank, Conor Lamb has $862,000 and Houlahan has over $3 million. It took Bob Casey $21 million to win reelection.