History of John Fetterman in Timeline
John Karl Fetterman is a Democratic politician currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Pennsylvania. He previously served as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2019 and as the 34th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023. Although he no longer identifies as such, Fetterman was previously a self-described progressive. His political positions include advocating for healthcare as a right, criminal justice reform, abolishing capital punishment, raising the federal minimum wage, and legalizing cannabis.
August 15, 1969: John Fetterman is born
John Karl Fetterman was born on August 15, 1969.
1991: Fetterman Graduates from Albright College
In 1991, John Fetterman graduated from Albright College with a bachelor's in finance.
1993: Fetterman Earns MBA
John Fetterman received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Connecticut in 1993.
1995: Fetterman Joins AmeriCorps
John Fetterman joined AmeriCorps in 1995 and was sent to teach Pittsburgh students pursuing their GEDs.
1999: Fetterman Earns Master of Public Policy Degree
John Fetterman attended Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, graduating in 1999 with a Master of Public Policy degree.
2001: Fetterman Starts Out-of-School Youth Program
In 2001, John Fetterman came to Braddock to start an Out-of-School-Youth Program, helping local youth to earn their GEDs.
2004: Fetterman Moves to Braddock
John Fetterman moved to Braddock in 2004 and was elected mayor the following year. As mayor, he focused on revitalizing the former steel town.
2005: Fetterman Runs for Mayor of Braddock
John Fetterman ran for mayor of Braddock in 2005, winning the Democratic primary by a single vote. He won the general election unopposed.
2006: Fetterman Opposes Highway Expansion
John Fetterman opposed the expansion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway in 2006, arguing that it would harm Braddock.
2006: Fetterman Becomes Mayor of Braddock
John Fetterman served as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2019.
2007: Meeting and Marriage to Gisele Barreto Almeida
John Fetterman's future wife, Gisele Barreto Almeida, learned about his community work in Braddock and wrote him a letter in 2007. This led to a visit, and they were married a year later.
2008: Lawsuit Over Unpaid Taxes
Allegheny County filed a lawsuit against John Fetterman and his non-profit organization, Braddock Redux, in 2008 for unpaid taxes, resulting in a tax lien.
February 25, 2009: Appearance on The Colbert Report
On February 25, 2009, Fetterman appeared on The Colbert Report to discuss the economic challenges faced by Braddock and advocated for using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support local projects.
2009: National Recognition for Revitalization Efforts
In 2009, Fetterman's work on revitalizing Braddock through youth programs and attracting artists gained national attention, with The New York Times featuring his efforts and The Guardian dubbing him "America's coolest mayor".
2009: Fetterman Faces Criticism and Controversy as Mayor
In 2009, Fetterman faced criticism for his handling of town council relations and the release of a political opponent's arrest records. Despite the controversy, he won the mayoral primary and general election.
November 2010: Fetterman Protests Hospital Closure
In November 2010, John Fetterman was arrested and released after protesting the closure of Braddock Hospital.
2010: Levi Strauss Partnership
In 2010, Braddock's revitalization efforts received support from Levi Strauss & Company, which provided funding, featured the town in an advertising campaign, and produced a documentary about it with the Sundance Channel.
2010: Joe Sestak Runs for U.S. Senate
Joe Sestak, who would later run against Fetterman for the U.S. Senate in 2016, was the 2010 Democratic nominee for Senate.
2012: Resolution of Tax Lien
In 2012, John Fetterman settled the unpaid taxes owed by him and his non-profit organization, Braddock Redux, resolving the 2008 tax lien.
January 2013: Shotgun Incident
In January 2013, Fetterman was involved in an incident where he pursued and detained Chris Miyares, a Black jogger, with a shotgun after hearing what he believed to be gunshots. While Fetterman maintains he acted appropriately and never pointed the gun at Miyares, the incident sparked controversy and raised concerns about racial profiling.
2013: Fetterman Defies Same-Sex Marriage Ban
In 2013, John Fetterman began defying a 1996 Pennsylvania law that banned same-sex marriage and began to marry LGBT couples inside his home.
2013: Fetterman Wins Mayoral Primaries Unopposed
John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries in 2013 and was unopposed in the general election.
2013: Fetterman's Early Collaboration with Scott Cooper and Christian Bale
John Fetterman had previously collaborated with director Scott Cooper and actor Christian Bale in 2013 during the filming of "Out of the Furnace" in Braddock.
September 14, 2015: Announces Candidacy for U.S. Senate
On September 14, 2015, Fetterman announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Pat Toomey in the 2016 election, challenging more established candidates Katie McGinty and Joe Sestak.
2015: Skepticism of Free Trade and Non-Interventionism
In 2015, John Fetterman was identified as skeptical of free trade due to his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He has also expressed non-interventionist views, stating that the United States should not be the world's police.
2016: Runs for U.S. Senate
Fetterman ran for the U.S. Senate in 2016. His campaign was considered a long shot against two better-known candidates.
2016: Fetterman Runs for U.S. Senate
In 2016, John Fetterman ran for the U.S. Senate but finished third in the Democratic primary.
November 14, 2017: Announces Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor
On November 14, 2017, Fetterman announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, challenging incumbent Mike Stack, who was considered vulnerable due to allegations of mistreating staff.
2017: Superior Motors Restaurant Opens
The Superior Motors restaurant, established by Fetterman and chef Kevin Sousa, opened in 2017 but later closed in 2021.
2017: Fetterman Wins Mayoral Primaries Unopposed
John Fetterman handily won the Democratic primaries in 2017 and was unopposed in the general elections.
2017: Fetterman Diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation
In 2017, John Fetterman was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He did not continue his medication or seek further medical attention for five years.
2017: Fetterman Diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation
In 2017, John Fetterman experienced sudden swelling in his feet and was hospitalized. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and a decreased heart pump by cardiologist Ramesh Chandra.
November 6, 2018: Elected Lieutenant Governor
On November 6, 2018, Fetterman won the general election as part of the Democratic ticket with incumbent governor Tom Wolf, becoming the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
2018: Fetterman Elected Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
John Fetterman ran for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 2018 and won.
2018: Fetterman's Significant Weight Loss Journey
John Fetterman, standing at 6 foot 8 inches, openly discussed his significant weight loss in 2018. He had lost approximately 150 pounds, going from over 400 pounds down to a healthier weight.
2018: Criticism from Residents
Throughout his mayoral tenure and particularly in 2018, Fetterman faced criticism from some Braddock residents, including town council members and filmmaker Tony Buba, who felt he focused too much on the town's negative aspects in his media appearances and questioned the actual impact of his revitalization efforts.
January 15, 2019: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
Fetterman was sworn in as the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania on January 15, 2019, succeeding Mike Stack. One of his first tasks assigned by Governor Tom Wolf was to investigate the possibility of legalizing marijuana statewide, leading Fetterman to conduct a tour across all Pennsylvania counties to gather public opinion.
January 2019: Light Work Schedule as Lieutenant Governor
An Associated Press review revealed that Fetterman maintained a light work schedule during his time as lieutenant governor, with his official schedule often blank and workdays short. He was frequently absent from presiding over the Pennsylvania State Senate, an official duty of his position.
June 4, 2019: Fetterman Briefly Collapses While Presiding Over State Senate
On June 4, 2019, while presiding over the State Senate, John Fetterman experienced a brief health scare. He became unsteady, grabbing the lectern to prevent a fall. Although a nurse examined him, his spokesperson later explained he had become overheated and was fine.
2019: Fetterman Becomes Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
John Fetterman served as the 34th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023.
November 2020: Criticizes Donald Trump Over Election Fraud Claims
In November 2020, Fetterman garnered national media attention for his sharp criticism of Donald Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, referring to Trump as "no different than any other random internet troll."
2020: Light Work Schedule as Lieutenant Governor
An Associated Press review revealed that Fetterman maintained a light work schedule during his time as lieutenant governor, with his official schedule often blank and workdays short. He was frequently absent from presiding over the Pennsylvania State Senate, an official duty of his position. In 2020, he only attended half of the Senate sessions.
2020: Photo of Fetterman Family Goes Viral
In the fall of 2020, a photo of the Fetterman family, taken during John Fetterman's interview, went viral due to the humorous facial expression of their dog, Levi.
2020: Challenges Election Fraud Claims with Sarcasm
In 2020, following the presidential election and Trump's claims of voter fraud, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick offered a reward for proof of fraud. In response, Fetterman sarcastically pointed out three instances of voter fraud in Pennsylvania, all involving individuals voting illegally for Trump, and demanded Patrick pay the reward. Fetterman's satirical approach garnered national attention.
January 2021: Launches Exploratory Committee for Senate Run
In January 2021, Fetterman announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, signaling his potential candidacy for the seat.
February 4, 2021: Files for U.S. Senate Candidacy
On February 4, 2021, Fetterman formally declared his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Pat Toomey by filing a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.
February 8, 2021: Officially Enters U.S. Senate Race
On February 8, 2021, Fetterman officially entered the race for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Pat Toomey.
February 2021: Support for Climate Action
In February 2021, John Fetterman affirmed his commitment to addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing his belief in its reality and supporting the broader goals of the Green New Deal.
July 2021: Levi Fetterman Advocates for Increased Dog License Fees
In July 2021, the York Daily Record reported that John Fetterman's dog, Levi, became an advocate for increasing the state license fee for dog owners in Pennsylvania. This advocacy aimed to fund the Pennsylvania bureau responsible for canine law enforcement, including addressing dangerous dogs and exposing puppy mills.
2021: Light Work Schedule as Lieutenant Governor
An Associated Press review revealed that Fetterman maintained a light work schedule during his time as lieutenant governor, with his official schedule often blank and workdays short. He was frequently absent from presiding over the Pennsylvania State Senate, an official duty of his position. In 2021, he only attended a third of the Senate sessions.
2021: Miyares' Response
In 2021, Chris Miyares, the jogger involved in the 2013 incident with Fetterman, stated that while Fetterman had misrepresented the events, he believed Fetterman had done more good than bad and should not be defined by the incident.
2021: Fetterman Announces Candidacy for U.S. Senate
In 2021, Fetterman announced his candidacy in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania
2021: Superior Motors Restaurant Closes
The Superior Motors restaurant, established by Fetterman and chef Kevin Sousa, opened in 2017 but later closed in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Evolving Stance on Fracking
John Fetterman's stance on fracking has evolved. He once called it an "environmental abomination" but later expressed support for permitting fracking while advocating for stricter environmental regulations.
May 13, 2022: Fetterman Hospitalized for Ischemic Stroke
John Fetterman suffered an ischemic stroke on May 13, 2022, leading to his hospitalization. The stroke was caused by a clot resulting from atrial fibrillation. Doctors implanted a pacemaker and defibrillator due to his cardiomyopathy.
May 2022: Light Work Schedule as Lieutenant Governor
An Associated Press review revealed that Fetterman maintained a light work schedule during his time as lieutenant governor, with his official schedule often blank and workdays short. He was frequently absent from presiding over the Pennsylvania State Senate, an official duty of his position.
May 2022: Stance on Abortion Rights
In May 2022, John Fetterman expressed his firm support for abortion rights, emphasizing that the decision should remain between a woman and her doctor, without government interference.
May 2022: Fetterman's 2017 Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis Revealed
After John Fetterman's stroke in May 2022, it was publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and a decreased heart pump in 2017.
May 22, 2022: Fetterman Discharged from Hospital After Stroke
On May 22, 2022, John Fetterman was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for an ischemic stroke. Doctors were optimistic about his recovery.
June 2022: Fetterman's Doctor Expresses Optimism About His Recovery
In June 2022, Dr. Ramesh Chandra, Fetterman's cardiologist, stated that Fetterman was in stable condition and expected to recover fully with proper medication, diet, and exercise. Fetterman expressed regret for not prioritizing his health after his 2017 atrial fibrillation diagnosis.
August 2022: Public Appearance After Stroke Recovery
In August 2022, John Fetterman made his first public appearance after suffering a stroke. Observers noted that he appeared to be in good physical health and his speech was mostly unaffected, though occasionally halting.
September 2022: Debate Agreement and Health Concerns
In September 2022, John Fetterman agreed to a single debate in late October with his opponent, Dr. Oz, after weeks of negotiations. Fetterman's handling of the debate arrangements led to further scrutiny of his health following his stroke.
October 2022: First In-Person Interview Since Stroke
In October 2022, John Fetterman gave his first in-person interview since his stroke to Dasha Burns on NBC Nightly News. He used closed-captioning technology to understand the questions. Burns's observation about his comprehension sparked debate about his fitness for office.
October 2022: Fetterman's Physician Reports Significant Improvement After Stroke
In October 2022, John Fetterman's primary care physician reported significant progress in his recovery from the stroke. The physician noted Fetterman's improved communication, regular attendance at speech therapy, adherence to heart medications, and ability to perform his duties in public office without restrictions. He also revealed Fetterman's use of closed captioning to assist with an auditory processing disorder resulting from the stroke.
December 2022: Fetterman Makes Cameo Appearance in "The Pale Blue Eye"
In December 2022, John Fetterman shared a photo of himself and his wife alongside actor Christian Bale on the set of the film "The Pale Blue Eye," in which he made a cameo appearance.
2022: Fetterman Wins U.S. Senate Election
John Fetterman won the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican nominee Mehmet Oz in the general election with 51% of the vote.
2022: Runs for U.S. Senate
Fetterman ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022.
2022: Shifting Political Identity
John Fetterman's political stance evolved in 2022. While previously identifying as a progressive, he distanced himself from the label, aligning more broadly with the Democratic party.
January 3, 2023: Fetterman Sworn into the Senate
On January 3, 2023, John Fetterman resigned as lieutenant governor upon being sworn into the Senate.
February 8, 2023: Fetterman Hospitalized for Lightheadedness
On February 8, 2023, John Fetterman was hospitalized overnight after feeling lightheaded at a U.S. Senate retreat. His office reassured the public that the incident was unrelated to his previous stroke, and he was in good spirits.
February 10, 2023: Hospitalization for Syncope and Depression
On February 10, 2023, John Fetterman was hospitalized for two days due to syncope. Shortly after his release, he was hospitalized again for severe clinical depression, leading to a two-month stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
February 2023: First Agriculture Committee Hearing
In February 2023, John Fetterman participated in his first Agriculture Committee hearing since becoming a senator. He asked questions about trade and organic farming but experienced minor speech difficulties.
February 16, 2023: Fetterman Checks into Walter Reed Hospital for Clinical Depression
John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed Hospital on February 16, 2023, to receive treatment for clinical depression. His aide indicated an anticipated stay of fewer than two months.
April 17, 2023: Return to the Senate and Subcommittee Hearing
John Fetterman returned to the Senate on April 17, 2023, after his hospitalization. He chaired the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry subcommittee on food and nutrition, specialty crops, organics, and research, demonstrating his commitment to his role despite facing ongoing challenges.
2023: Strong Support for Israel During Conflict
Throughout the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, John Fetterman maintained his support for Israel. He placed the blame for the conflict solely on Hamas and criticized those who he felt mischaracterized the situation.
2023: Vote Against NATO Treaty Amendment
John Fetterman voted against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in 2023. This amendment aimed to clarify that Article 5 of the NATO treaty doesn't replace the need for a formal declaration of war from Congress.
2023: Opposition to Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, John Fetterman was among the few Senate Democrats to vote against the Fiscal Responsibility Act. He cited concerns over new work requirements for SNAP benefits as his reason for opposition.
2023: Unorthodox Liberalism
In 2023, John Fetterman continued to reject the "progressive" label. His political views were described by NBC News as an unconventional blend of blue-collar liberalism with a populist approach.
2023: Fetterman Becomes U.S. Senator
In 2023, John Fetterman began serving as the junior United States Senator from Pennsylvania.