Report: John Fetterman may Resign, Making Democrats Unsure About Future of Senate Seat

With U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) still battling health issues and checking himself into a hospital on February 16th for clinical depression, Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro (D) told NBC News on Monday there’s “no contingency plan.”

Fetterman had a stroke last year, just before the Democratic Senate primary. Fetterman won the primary and went on to win the seat, replacing retiring Senator Pat Toomey (R).

His capacity to do the job required of a Senator has been in question since his stroke.

“There is no contingency plan and it is 100 percent Senator Fetterman’s decision as to what he will do in the future,” Shapiro told NBC News.

Shapiro’s remarks show that Democrats have no idea who would replace Fetterman if he were to resign. Shapiro would be tasked with selecting Fetterman’s replacement should that happen. A special election could then be held in 2024 to solidify a replacement.

If this were the case both Pennsylvania senate seats would be up for grabs during a presidential election. This may pose a problem for Democrats who currently hold both seats.

Pennsylvania was a key state in 2016 for Trump as well as in 2020 for Joe Biden, and will likely be one of the states that will be key for the next presidential race.

Georgia recently had a similar situation when U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson resigned amid health issues. Georgia Governor Kemp appointed Kelly Loeffler (R) who lost her seat in the special election held in 2020. Republicans also lost David Perdue’s Senate seat in the same election.

We will see if Fetterman holds on to his seat while he battles ongoing health issues or if he decides to resign. It could make for an even more interesting 2024 election cycle.