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 a United States Senator for Pennsylvania since 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, his political career includes serving as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, from 2006 to 2019. Subsequently, he held the position of the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 until his election to the Senate in 2023.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1995: Joined AmeriCorps

In 1995, John Fetterman joined AmeriCorps, teaching Pittsburgh students pursuing their GEDs.

2001: Started Out-of-School-Youth Program in Braddock

In 2001, John Fetterman came to Braddock to start an Out-of-School-Youth Program, helping local youth to earn their GEDs.

2005: Won election for mayor of Braddock

In 2005, John Fetterman ran for and won the election for mayor of Braddock after winning the Democratic primary by a single vote and running unopposed in the general election.

2006: Became Mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania

In 2006, John Fetterman became the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, a position he held until 2019.

2006: Opposed Mon-Fayette Expressway Expansion

In 2006, John Fetterman opposed the expansion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, arguing it would destroy Braddock.

2009: Won Democratic Primary for Braddock Mayor Amidst Controversy

In 2009, during the Democratic primary for mayor of Braddock, John Fetterman was criticized by Jayme Cox for failing to build consensus and abusing his power, however, Fetterman won the primary 294 to 103.

2013: Filming Out of the Furnace in Braddock

In 2013, Fetterman collaborated with Christian Bale and director Scott Cooper during the filming of "Out of the Furnace" in Braddock, where Fetterman was mayor.

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2013: Won Democratic Primaries for Mayor

In 2013, John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries for mayor of Braddock, and was unopposed in the general election.

2013: Began Marrying LGBT Couples

Starting in 2013, John Fetterman began defying a 1996 Pennsylvania law and began to marry LGBT couples inside his home.

2015: The Patriot-News labels Fetterman a "skeptic of free trade"

In 2015, The Patriot-News characterized Fetterman as a "skeptic of free trade" due to his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and his non-interventionist stance, highlighting his views on America's role in global affairs.

2016: Ran for U.S. Senate

In 2016, John Fetterman ran for the U.S. Senate but finished third in the Democratic primary.

November 14, 2017: Announced Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

On November 14, 2017, John Fetterman announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

2017: Won Democratic Primaries for Mayor

In 2017, John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries for mayor of Braddock, and was unopposed in the general election.

November 6, 2018: Elected Lieutenant Governor

On November 6, 2018, John Fetterman and Tom Wolf defeated the Republican ticket in the general election, leading to Fetterman's election as Lieutenant Governor.

2018: Elected Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania

In 2018, John Fetterman was elected Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, defeating incumbent Mike Stack in the Democratic primary and winning the general election alongside Governor Tom Wolf.

January 15, 2019: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor

On January 15, 2019, John Fetterman was sworn into office as the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Wolf tasked him with exploring the legalization of marijuana statewide.

2019: Became Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania

In 2019, John Fetterman became the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, serving until 2023.

2021: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate

In 2021, John Fetterman announced his candidacy for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania.

December 2022: Posting a Photo with Christian Bale on the set of The Pale Blue Eye

In December 2022, Fetterman posted a photo with his wife and actor Christian Bale on the set of the film "The Pale Blue Eye," in which he made a cameo appearance. This followed his earlier collaboration with Bale and director Scott Cooper in 2013 during the filming of "Out of the Furnace" in Braddock.

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2022: Won U.S. Senate Election

In 2022, John Fetterman won the U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, defeating Republican nominee Mehmet Oz with 51% of the vote.

2023: Became US Senator

In 2023, John Fetterman began serving as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania.

March 26, 2024: Fetterman denounces Biden administration

On March 26, 2024, John Fetterman and Representative Josh Gottheimer publicly denounced the Biden administration for not voting against a U.N. Security Council resolution. The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, the release of all hostages, and a path towards a sustainable ceasefire.

June 2024: Fetterman Visits Israel, Meets with Leaders

In June 2024, John Fetterman visited Israel and engaged in meetings with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu stated that "Israel has had no better friend" than Fetterman.

January 2025: Co-sponsorship of the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA)

In January 2025, John Fetterman co-sponsored the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), which aimed to set a minimum age of 13 for social media use and prevent social media companies from showing algorithmically targeted content to users under 17.

January 2025: Fetterman Open to U.S. Acquisition of Greenland

In January 2025, John Fetterman expressed that he was open to the United States acquiring Greenland, which was proposed by Trump. He later joked about wanting to be appointed "Pope of Greenland."

January 2025: Fetterman Votes to Sanction International Criminal Court

In January 2025, John Fetterman was the only Democratic senator who voted with all Republicans for cloture on a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court in response to its warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant.

February 2025: Fetterman Supports U.S. Troops in Gaza

In February 2025, John Fetterman stated that he would "fully support" U.S. troops in Gaza after President Trump proposed that the U.S. should own the Gaza Strip. He called the proposal "provocative" but said it was part of the conversation.

March 2025: Fetterman Votes Against Bill on Transgender Athletes

In March 2025, John Fetterman joined every other Senate Democrat in voting against a bill that aimed to ban trans girls and women from participating in women's sports. Fetterman stated that he believes the transgender athletes in Pennsylvania deserve an ally.

March 2025: Fetterman Votes for Cloture on Republican Funding Bill

In March 2025, John Fetterman was one of nine Senate Democrats who voted for cloture on a Republican-led stopgap funding bill in order to avoid a federal government shutdown. He criticized fellow Democrats for pandering to the left wing.