Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) appeared in a pre-recorded video during the opening night of the Republican midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Wednesday night. The roughly one-minute message introduced fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) and was met with applause from the convention audience.
Fetterman, dressed in his signature hoodie, was filmed standing in front of or overlooking a U.S. Steel facility, identified as the Mon Valley Works in western Pennsylvania. The two-day event, sometimes referred to informally as “Trumpapalooza,” was organized to energize Republican voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, in which the party holds a 53-47 Senate majority. President Donald Trump was scheduled to deliver a keynote address later that evening.
“Yes, I’m Senator John Fetterman, Pennsylvania. Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common-sense Democrat. I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life,” the senator began.
He went on to praise his colleague, Senator McCormick, and highlighted the relationship the two have developed despite being members of opposing political parties. “Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend,” Fetterman continued.
Gesturing toward the steel mill, he added that he and McCormick “will work together, and we’ll work with President Trump, to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley.”
He concluded with an introduction for Senator McCormick, “I have this opportunity to introduce this great American, a great senator, and yes, he is in a different party, but I’m proud to count him as my great friend.”
WATCH: John Fetterman makes STUNNING surprise appearance at Republican Midterm Convention https://t.co/N3G0gYqs2G pic.twitter.com/p6crtKmA9f
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) September 10, 2026
“How great is John Fetterman?” McCormick said after taking the stage immediately after. “Thank you Senator Fetterman for your friendship, thank you for your courage and thank you for all you do for Pennsylvania.” McCormick helped arrange the video appearance, according to a report from CNN. The two senators have maintained a working relationship, including forming a joint fundraising committee earlier in 2026.
Fetterman has publicly differed with elements of his party for an extended period. After winning election in 2022 with support from progressive figures, he later criticized what he described as the rise of socialism and far-left candidates in Democratic primaries, calling the trend an “orgy of socialism” and referring to some activists as the “dirtbag left.”
He has broken with many Democrats on support for Israel, aspects of immigration policy, and certain Trump administration actions and nominees, while stating he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party. Fetterman has said he remains a Democrat who will “have a conversation with whoever is playing it straight.”
Polling in Pennsylvania has shown him viewed more favorably by Republican voters than by Democrats in recent months.
