Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is the projected winner of Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press.
Fetterman had polled well ahead of fellow candidate U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, state Sen. Malcolm Kenyatta and Jenkintown Councilwoman Alex Khalil in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s primary.
Despite suffering a stroke on Friday that kept him off the campaign trail in the waning days, Fetterman captured the expected victory. With about half of the votes counted, Fetterman had 59% to Lamb’s 28%.
Fetterman said the stroke was caused by atrial fibrillation. He added that doctors determined he suffered no cognitive damage and that he expects to make a full recovery. He underwent a procedure to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator on Tuesday and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, is currently acting lieutenant governor.
Democrats see an opportunity in Pennsylvania to flip the U.S. Senate seat held by outgoing Republican Pat Toomey. To do so, Fetterman would need to defeat the Republican candidate the emerges from a primary led by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dave McCormick and Kathy Barnette.
President Joe Biden was quick to offer his endorsement of Fetterman on Tuesday night.
“As Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor, John Fetterman understands that working class families in Pennsylvania and across the country have been dealt out for far too long. It’s time to deal them back in, and electing John to the United States Senate would be a big step forward for Pennsylvania’s working people,” Biden said in a statement. “Democrats are united around John, who is a strong nominee, will run a tough race, and can win in November.
“And while we await the results of the GOP primary, one thing is clear – these candidates are not your father’s GOP. They have fought a malicious, chaotic primary campaign to be the most extreme. And they have shown people their authentic selves – that whoever emerges will be too dangerous, too craven, and too extreme to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate.”
Gov. Tom Wolf also congratulated Fetterman on the win.
“I have been proud to have John Fetterman serve as my Lt. Governor since 2019 and know that he will continue to fight for the people of Pennsylvania as a U.S. Senator,” Wolf said in a statement. “John is a fierce advocate for the commonwealth’s workers, families, and communities that have been left behind. As Senator, John will continue to stand up to protect access to abortion, increase the minimum wage, expand voting rights, lower prescription drug costs, and defend unions and workers’ rights. John will never stop doing the right thing for Pennsylvania’s working families. I hope you will join me in fighting to ensure John Fetterman is elected to the U.S. Senate this November.”
Prior to winning election as lieutenant governor in 2018, Fetterman was mayor of Braddock since 2005. He ran for Senate in 2016 but lost in the primary.
