Rep. Madeleine Dean said she’s “gravely disappointed” with Sen. John Fetterman, a fellow Pennsylvania Democrat, for his “stunt” at the Republican midterm convention Wednesday in Dallas.
Mr. Fetterman recorded a video message introducing his “great friend” Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, praising him as “the kind of senator that gets the job done.”
On Thursday, Ms. Dean said, “What I wish he was doing was back home in Pennsylvania, making sure, like I am, that Pennsylvania will see more Democratic members of the House who uphold the values that he originally ran on.”
The congresswoman was speaking at a press conference in Dallas as part of a four-person House Democratic delegation sent to counter the GOP’s convention messaging.
Asked whether Mr. Fetterman should remain in the Democratic Party, Ms. Dean said, “That’s entirely on John.”
She added, “I will tell you from the ground, from suburban Philadelphia, my constituents are livid. Those who went out and knocked doors for him — they are absolutely livid.”
Mr. Fetterman has insisted that he’s not planning to switch parties, despite GOP courting. The Washington Times reached out to his office for comment about the Democratic criticism he has received for his convention appearance.
“A year ago I labeled John Fetterman ’Trump’s favorite Democrat.’ Tonight, he yet again proves why,” Rep. Brendan Boyle, Pennsylvania Democrat, posted on social media after Mr. Fetterman’s video message for Mr. McCormick aired.
The anger toward Mr. Fetterman is not just because of the convention video, but also due to a broader frustration among Democrats about his ideological shift since his 2022 election to the Senate.
Ms. Dean said he has voted frequently with President Trump, “whether it is for incompetent secretary nominees or it is around the war powers resolutions.”
Mr. Fetterman has been the lone voice in his party defending Mr. Trump’s war against Iran.
Ms. Dean said the senator is not the same man she first got to know in 2018 when running against him for lieutenant governor.
“We can see in his work ethic that he’s just not present,” she said. “He doesn’t participate much at all in his own committees, let alone attend them.”
The Wall Street Journal reported last week about Mr. Fetterman’s disinterest in attending committee hearings, meeting with constituents and other senatorial duties.
Mr. Fetterman dismissed the article as a hit piece from disgruntled former employees.
A group of former Fetterman Senate and campaign staffers said the anecdotes shared in the Journal story are “just the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s even worse than you thought. We’ve come together to share our stories (and screenshots 
The former staffers, who describe themselves as “disgusted” with Mr. Fetterman’s transformation, said they will share their first drop next week when the Senate returns to session.
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