John Fetterman

John Fetterman is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has served as the junior United States Senator from Pennsylvania since January 3, 2023. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, he grew up in York and later earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Albright College, an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. His career in public service began after working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and joining AmeriCorps, where he taught GED classes in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. From 2006 to 2019, Fetterman served as the mayor of Braddock, a deindustrialized borough near Pittsburgh, where he focused on community revitalization through youth programs, green initiatives, and attracting new investments. He subsequently served as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023 under Governor Tom Wolf. In this role, he chaired the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and advocated for criminal justice reform and the legalization of recreational marijuana. In 2022, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican nominee Mehmet Oz.

Fetterman's policy platform focuses on economic populism, social reform, and pragmatic energy policy. He is a strong supporter of organized labor and has consistently advocated for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. On healthcare, he supports expanding the Affordable Care Act and moves toward universal coverage, viewing healthcare as a fundamental human right. He is a vocal proponent of legalizing marijuana and has made criminal justice reform—specifically regarding clemency and sentencing—a cornerstone of his career. On energy and the environment, Fetterman supports a transition to clean energy but also emphasizes the importance of the natural gas industry to Pennsylvania's economy, opposing a ban on fracking while calling for stricter environmental regulations. In foreign policy, he has distinguished himself with staunch support for Israel and has also advocated for continued military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. On immigration, he supports a secure border combined with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and permanent protections for DACA recipients.