Chris Deluzio

Giffords PAC, the gun-control group led by former Rep. Gabby Giffords and backed by Sen. Mark Kelly, has made Pennsylvania a central battleground in its effort to help Democrats win a House majority. The PAC is endorsing nine Pennsylvania candidates, including Gov. Josh Shapiro as he seeks reelection against Republican state treasurer Stacy Garrity, who has the NRA's backing. Other endorsees include Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Janelle Stelson, and incumbent Reps. Madeleine Dean, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Summer Lee, and Mary Gay Scanlon. Notably, the PAC also endorsed Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has an "F" rating from the NRA.

The group has committed roughly $850,000 toward Cognetti's congressional bid alone and plans to spend $10 million nationally this cycle. Cognetti's opponent, Rep. Rob Bresnahan, has pushed back, citing her past comments questioning police and citizen gun ownership. Giffords PAC frames Pennsylvania as pivotal not only for 2026 but for positioning ahead of 2028, underscoring how gun policy remains a flashpoint in competitive House races nationwide.

Tensions between Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and fellow Pennsylvania Democrats have escalated. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) told CNN's Jake Tapper that Fetterman is "nowhere to be found" while other Democrats campaign for competitive congressional races in the state, adding that constituents feel disrespected by the senator's approach to his office.

The criticism follows a Wall Street Journal report alleging Fetterman skipped meetings with disabled veterans to appear on Fox News and expressed frustration about meeting with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia representatives. Fetterman further angered Democrats by appearing at the Republican National Convention to introduce Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), with whom he shares a close relationship.

Deluzio said he has received encouragement to challenge Fetterman for his Senate seat in 2028 but has not made a decision, saying his current focus is down-ballot races. Polling from The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena University shows Fetterman is now far more popular among Pennsylvania Republicans than among Democrats.

Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) said he "might" launch a 2028 Democratic primary challenge against Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), telling NewsNation he hasn't made a decision. Deluzio said his current focus is helping Pennsylvania Democrats flip congressional seats to give Gov. Josh Shapiro a governing majority in the state Senate and expand the Democratic majority in the state House.

Deluzio criticized Fetterman's campaign presence, saying the senator is "nowhere to be seen on the campaign trail" and claiming no Pennsylvania Democrat wants Fetterman campaigning alongside them. The remarks signal potential intraparty friction ahead of Fetterman's next reelection bid, with Deluzio positioning himself as a possible primary contender should he choose to run.

Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Deluzio said Sunday he "might" mount a 2028 primary challenge against Sen. John Fetterman, though he stressed he hasn't decided and is currently focused on helping Democrats flip congressional and state legislative seats in Pennsylvania. Deluzio said Fetterman is largely absent from the campaign trail and suggested no Pennsylvania Democrat wants to campaign alongside him.

The comments follow mounting Democratic criticism of Fetterman over the past 18 months for siding with President Trump and Republicans on issues including Iran war powers votes. A Wall Street Journal report questioning Fetterman's commitment to his Senate duties, which he has called a "hit piece," intensified the backlash. Deluzio said Fetterman "has no sense of duty" to constituents and is "not up for the high office he was elected to." Fetterman has also broken with much of his party over Israel, warning he would leave the Democratic Party if it became "anti-Israel." Data shows Fetterman voted with Trump's position more than any other Senate Democrat last year.