Christopher Deluzio

BEAVER FALLS, Pennsylvania — At a packed town hall in a deep-red Pennsylvania county, Tod Marion stood up to ask Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio about his plans to make Congress an institution that no longer “embarrassed” him — one that might even make him “proud again.” Deluzio, a 42-year-old father of four, called it a “big question” and launched into a lengthy speech about Washington’s failures to offer the younger generation the same social mobility afforded to older Americans like Marion, who identified himself as a husband of nearly 50 years and a believer in “liberty and justice for all.” “I don't just have small dreams for this country … and that requires us to, when we need to, to compromise and work together,” Deluzio said. “ I stand my ground on core values, and where I’ve got to work with Republicans and House members and senators on delivering project funding, I do that. I think you need a representative who can do both of those things.” It might as well have been a test run of his stump speech if Deluzio follows through on strong hints he’ll run for Senate in 2028 — against fellow Democratic incumbent John Fetterman, who he suggests has betrayed some of those core values. “If I'm going to do it, I'm doing it to win, and I’m going to win,” Deluzio said in an interview with POLITICO over a plate of greens and beans — a Pittsburgh staple — followed by pumpkin ravioli at Sarafino’s Restaurant, which he’s patronized since he was a teenager. He said he’s giving the matter “serious thought” and won’t make a decision until after the midterms. Deluzio campaigned with Fetterman in 2022 , when both were seeking election to Congress. But he’s since grown more vocal in his criticism of the senator and has been essentially laying the groundwork for a challenge for months — taunting Fetterman in media interviews and social media posts , hammering him over and over again in particular for his embrace of President Donald Trump’s Iran war. He has slammed Fetterman for his unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accused him of not being up to the job of representing the fifth-largest state. As a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who served in Iraq, Deluzio said Fetterman’s endorsement of the war in Iran was the breaking point. “We have a lot of pretty serious responsibilities, but deciding when and whether to send Americans to fight is one of the most solemn responsibilities we have, and he treats it like a video game,” Deluzio said. Deluzio also called out Fetterman for other actions he said are “actively undermining” Democratic efforts in a crucial election year. “He spoke at that [GOP midterm] convention. He's on right-wing news constantly bashing the Democrats,” Deluzio said. “Democratic committee people, candidates, you name it — they're bringing up on their own how mad they are at this guy.” Deluzio is casting himself as someone who not only has a commitment to serve but a message that can resonate statewide. He’s touting hi