Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman was once considered a force to be reckoned with when he was first elected to the upper chamber of Congress in 2022. Over two years later, after a stroke and severe mental health crises, Democratic insiders are reportedly wondering— or perhaps hoping— if his time in national politics is coming to an end.
Over the past few months, different bombshell reports have revealed the extent of the issues affecting the health of the senior, and now only Democratic, Pennsylvania senator. Those reports have shown Fetterman's team crumbling from within, with some of his closest allies begging him to step down amid his health struggles and apparent uninterest in the day-to-day duties of a senator.
According to a recent report from Axios, since November, the senator has missed 55 floor votes in the Senate. Moreover, between Feb. 2023 and June 2025 Fetterman missed 174 of 972 roll call votes, or 17.9%, a figure that is much higher than the median of 2.9% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving, according to GovTrack.us.
But the votes are not the only issue of concern. Earlier this year, a New York Magazine article detailed a letter last year from Fetterman's former chief of staff Adam Jentleson to a doctor overseeing Fetterman's care, in which Jentleson said he was "really worried" about the lawmaker. Fetterman survived a stroke during the 2022 campaign, and has spoken openly about his struggles with depression and complications from the stroke.
The senator's health, coupled with his hardline support of Israel and recent friendly meetings with President Donald Trump have led to an exodus among his staff. Jentleson left his post last year, while two more Fetterman aides departed his office in the last couple months. This week, his chief of staff, Krysta Sinclair Juris, also parted ways with the senator.
The exits have experts raising their eyebrows, questioning whether Fetterman has any future in the Senate, not only considering that his closest advisors have left him, but also the fact that he does not have many allies in DC. That is why some are starting to set their sights on former congressman Conor Lamb, which some believe have what it takes to oust Fetterman in 2028, a recent New York Magazine article argues.
Lamb was a rising star in the Democratic party during the first Trump term, serving as a strong resistance figure after flipping a tough district north of Pittsburgh. However, his political future abruptly came to an end after he ran against Fetterman in the 2022 senate primary. Fetterman was quickly able to charm his base, while also consolidating both the Establishment and progressive Democrats.
Now Lamb is back, barnstorming across Pennsylvania and rallying voters who are furious at Democrats for not fighting back more aggressively against Trump. He has also vocally criticized both Fetterman and GOP Sen. Dave McCormick for not holding town halls.
Lamb has said he isn't running for office soon, but according the article claims it would be difficult to imagine he would not be ready for a rematch considering the circumstances. If he runs in 2028, Lamb would be running to Fetterman's left, promising a straight Democratic vote and firm opposition to MAGA Republicans. On Israel, he would align with a conventional Democratic line, which is to back the Jewish state but condemn the current situation in Gaza.
But most importantly, if Lamb decides to run, he would likely be backed by national Democrats, the heavy-hitting fundraisers and most prominent politicians, making the senior senator's chances at staying in Congress very slim.
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