Career Timeline of John Fetterman: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Fetterman made an impact.
John Fetterman is an American politician currently serving as the senior United States senator from Pennsylvania since 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, Fetterman previously served as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, from 2006 to 2019. He then served as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 until assuming his senatorial role in 2023. His political career has been marked by his focus on issues relevant to working-class communities.
1995: Joined AmeriCorps
In 1995, John Fetterman joined AmeriCorps and was sent to teach Pittsburgh students pursuing their GEDs.
2001: Started Youth Program
In 2001, John Fetterman came to Braddock to start an Out-of-School-Youth Program, helping local youth to earn their GEDs.
2005: Elected Mayor of Braddock
In 2005, John Fetterman won the Democratic primary for mayor of Braddock by a single vote and then won the general election unopposed.
2006: Mayor of Braddock
In 2006, John Fetterman became the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania.
2006: Opposed Expressway Expansion
In 2006, John Fetterman opposed the expansion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, arguing it would harm Braddock.
2009: Mayoral Primary Win
In 2009, John Fetterman defeated Jayme Cox in the Democratic primary for mayor despite criticism for releasing Cox's arrest records.
2013: Established Restaurant in Braddock
In 2013, John Fetterman and Kevin Sousa established Superior Motors restaurant in Braddock.
2013: Filming "Out of the Furnace" in Braddock
In 2013, John Fetterman collaborated with Christian Bale and director Scott Cooper during the filming of "Out of the Furnace" in Braddock.
2013: Won Mayoral Primaries
John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries in 2013 and was unopposed in the general election.
2013: Began Marrying LGBT Couples
Starting in 2013, John Fetterman began defying a 1996 Pennsylvania law that banned same-sex marriage and started marrying LGBT couples.
September 14, 2015: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate
On September 14, 2015, John Fetterman announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Pat Toomey in the 2016 election.
2016: Senate Run
In 2016, John Fetterman ran for U.S. Senate, finishing third in the Democratic primary.
November 14, 2017: Announced Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor
On November 14, 2017, John Fetterman announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
2017: Won Mayoral Primaries
John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries in 2017 and was unopposed in the general election.
November 6, 2018: Won Election
On November 6, 2018, Tom Wolf and John Fetterman defeated the Republican ticket of Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos in the general election.
2018: Elected Lieutenant Governor
In 2018, John Fetterman was elected lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, defeating incumbent Mike Stack in the Democratic primary.
January 15, 2019: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
On January 15, 2019, John Fetterman was sworn into office as the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
2019: Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
In 2019, John Fetterman became the 34th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
2020: Response to Voter Fraud Allegations
In 2020, amidst claims of voter fraud in Pennsylvania, John Fetterman responded by sarcastically certifying that three cases of voter fraud were discovered, involving individuals casting ballots on behalf of dead relatives or twice, all for Trump. He lampooned the situation, drawing nationwide publicity.
January 2021: Launched Exploratory Committee for Senate Election
In January 2021, John Fetterman announced he was launching an exploratory committee for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania.
February 4, 2021: Filed Candidacy Statement for Senate
On February 4, 2021, John Fetterman filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission declaring his intention to run for the Senate seat.
February 8, 2021: Officially Entered Senate Race
On February 8, 2021, John Fetterman officially entered the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Toomey.
2021: Announced Senate Candidacy
In 2021, John Fetterman announced his candidacy in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania.
September 2022: Debate Challenge and Agreement
In September 2022, Mehmet Oz challenged John Fetterman to a debate, which Fetterman eventually agreed to, setting the debate for October 25th.
2022: U.S. Senate Election
In 2022, John Fetterman ran for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.
2022: Political Identity
In 2022, John Fetterman stated that he was "just a Democrat", explaining that many parts of his platform that were once considered progressive are now mainstream beliefs of the party.
January 3, 2023: Took Office as Senator
On January 3, 2023, John Fetterman took office as a U.S. Senator, becoming the tallest currently serving senator.
February 2023: First Agriculture Committee Hearing
In February 2023, John Fetterman attended his first Agriculture Committee hearing, where he asked questions about trade and organic farming.
April 17, 2023: Returned to Senate to Chair Subcommittee
On April 17, 2023, John Fetterman returned to the Senate to chair the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry subcommittee.
2023: Became US Senator
In 2023, John Fetterman became the senior United States senator from Pennsylvania.
2023: Rejection of Progressive Label
In 2023, John Fetterman rejected the progressive label again, leading to NBC News characterizing his ideology as an "unorthodox brand of blue-collar liberalism, with a dash of outsider populism."
2023: Voted Against Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, John Fetterman voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 due to concerns over new SNAP requirements.
2024: Expressed Willingness to Work with Trump
In 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election, John Fetterman expressed a willingness to work with Republicans and even visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago complex.
2024: Shift in Views on Israel
In 2024, commentators noted that John Fetterman's views on Israel had shifted to the right and were more in line with those of Republicans.
2025: Cozying up to Trump
By early 2025, John Fetterman had made a number of moves some liberals criticized as cozying up to Trump.
2025: Became Senior Senator
In 2025, John Fetterman became Pennsylvania's senior senator following Bob Casey Jr.'s defeat.
