John Fetterman

John Fetterman
United States Senate · Public domain · source
Name	John Fetterman
Caption	Official portrait, 2023
Office	United States Senator from Pennsylvania
Term start	January 3, 2023
Alongside	Bob Casey Jr.
Predecessor	Pat Toomey
Office1	34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Governor1	Tom Wolf
Term start1	January 15, 2019
Term end1	January 3, 2023
Predecessor1	Mike Stack
Successor1	Austin Davis
Office2	Mayor of Braddock
Term start2	January 5, 2006
Term end2	January 15, 2019
Predecessor2	Pauline Abdullah
Successor2	Chardaé Jones
Birth date	15 August 1969
Birth place	West Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Gisele Barreto, 2008
Education	Albright College (BA), University of Connecticut (MBA), Harvard University (MPP)

John Fetterman is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Pennsylvania since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023 under Governor Tom Wolf and as the mayor of Braddock from 2006 to 2019. Known for his progressive politics and distinctive personal style, his election to the Senate in the 2022 election was a key victory for Democrats in a major battleground state.

Early life and education

John Fetterman was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, and grew up in York, Pennsylvania. He attended Albright College in Reading, where he played football and earned a B.A. in finance. After graduation, he worked for several years with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in Philadelphia. He later pursued a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Early career and activism

Before entering politics, Fetterman worked in the insurance industry for a company serving high-risk clients. His commitment to community service was solidified through his work with AmeriCorps. In 2001, he moved to Braddock, a struggling former steel town near Pittsburgh, to found a GED and job training program for local youth. This grassroots work established his deep connection to the community and its economic challenges, focusing on issues like deindustrialization and urban renewal.

Political career

Fetterman's political career began with his election as mayor of Braddock in 2005, taking office in 2006. As mayor, he focused on combating blight, promoting public art, and attracting new community-focused businesses. He gained statewide recognition for his unconventional approach and advocacy for progressive policies. In 2016, he made an unsuccessful bid in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, finishing third behind Katie McGinty and Joe Sestak. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 on a ticket with Governor Tom Wolf.

2022 U.S. Senate election

Fetterman won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in May 2022, defeating contenders including Conor Lamb and Malcolm Kenyatta. The general election against the Republican nominee, celebrity physician Mehmet Oz, was one of the most closely watched and expensive races of the 2022 midterm cycle. The campaign was notably impacted by a stroke Fetterman suffered just days before the primary, which led to ongoing auditory processing challenges. Despite this, he secured a decisive victory, helping Democrats maintain control of the United States Senate.

U.S. Senate tenure

Since being sworn into the Senate in January 2023, Fetterman has served on several committees, including the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. He has been a vocal advocate for labor unions, cannabis legalization, and criminal justice reform. His tenure has also been marked by his public discussion of his recovery from stroke and his treatment for clinical depression, which he sought in 2023 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Personal life

Fetterman is married to Gisele Barreto Fetterman, an immigrant from Brazil and a community activist. They have three children and reside in Braddock. His personal style, often featuring hoodies, shorts, and visible tattoos, including the dates of every homicide in Braddock during his mayoralty, has been widely noted. He is an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers and maintains a strong public presence on social media platforms.

Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:United States senators from Pennsylvania Category:Pennsylvania Democrats Category:Albright College alumni Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni