A Siena College poll commissioned by the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer found that Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) holds a higher favorability rating among Republican voters in Pennsylvania than his Republican colleague, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). The survey, conducted August 17-21 among 760 Pennsylvania voters, reported that 73% of likely GOP voters view Fetterman favorably, compared to 63% for McCormick.
Fetterman’s rise in Republican favorability contrasts with a decline among his own party. The poll indicates that only 22% of Democratic voters now view him positively, down from 74% in 2024. The survey also found that 67% of likely Democratic voters believe Fetterman supports former President Donald Trump too often, while about half say he has been overly supportive of Israel.
Fetterman’s Shifting Political Brand
Since winning statewide office in 2022 as a populist Democrat, Fetterman’s political positioning has evolved. His outspoken support for Israel, willingness to work with Republicans, and public criticism of his own party have distinguished him as an unconventional member of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Fetterman has denied speculation that he plans to leave the Democratic Party, though his voting record and public statements have drawn attention from both sides of the aisle.
McCormick’s Standing Among Republicans
McCormick, who entered the Senate in 2025, remains less known than Fetterman in Pennsylvania. While he retains a 63% favorability rating among Republicans, the poll suggests Fetterman’s cross-party appeal has surpassed his GOP counterpart. The survey did not provide comparative favorability data for McCormick among Democratic voters.
Broader Voter Sentiment
The poll highlights broader dissatisfaction among Democratic voters regarding Fetterman’s alignment with Trump and his stance on Israel. These issues appear to be central factors in the decline of his favorability within his own party. The survey did not explore specific reasons for Republican support of Fetterman beyond his bipartisan engagement and criticism of Democrats.
Polling Methodology
The Siena College poll was conducted via telephone interviews with 760 registered Pennsylvania voters between August 17-21. The margin of error for the survey is ±3.6 percentage points. The results reflect favorability ratings among likely voters, though the poll did not specify whether respondents were registered Republicans or Democrats.