John Fetterman

“This is a donor driven effort,” McCormick campaign spokesman Mike DeVanney said on Thursday. “This group of donors value the collaboration exhibited by Senators McCormick and Fetterman for Pennsylvania and want to support both of them.”

The Washington Examiner contacted Fetterman’s campaign for comment.

It is very uncommon for fundraising committees to cross party lines. The joint effort is a testament to the Pennsylvania senators’ friendship.

The rare move comes as Fetterman’s support among voters within his own party is dropping while his approval among Republicans is rising.

In a Quinnipiac University poll from February, 62% of Pennsylvania Democrats disapproved of the way Fetterman is handling his job, and 73% of Pennsylvania Republicans approved. Overall, his approval and disapproval ratings were 46% and 40%, respectively.

A Philadelphia Inquirer-Suffolk University poll of 500 voters in Philadelphia from last month found a similar trend, with only 17% of Democrats viewing Fetterman favorably and 60% of Republicans holding a favorable view of him. Among all respondents, his favorability rating was 24%.

The Pennsylvania Democrat has frequently sided with Republicans, including McCormick, in votes for certain bills and President Donald Trump’s nominees. Fetterman, however, has no intention of switching parties ahead of his likely reelection campaign in 2028. If he decides to run, a Democratic primary challenge may ensue, given his own party’s growing dislike of him.

Meanwhile, McCormick is up for reelection in 2030. He became closely acquainted with Fetterman once the Republican started serving in the Senate last year.

The pair stood up to Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) when he decided to pull the state out of the Great American State Fair due to a lack of interest from business sponsors. The senators managed to secure over 50 private sponsors to host Pennsylvania’s booth at the Freedom 250 fair without costing state taxpayers any money.

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Republican Party thanked Fetterman and McCormick for ensuring the state was “adequately represented on the national stage” for America’s 250th birthday this year.

“Pennsylvania is the birthplace of America. It’s where our Founding Fathers signed the documents that created the greatest nation in the history of the world. But Josh Shapiro couldn’t care less,” the Pennsylvania GOP posted on X.

PENNSYLVANIA SENATORS SHOW RARE SIGN OF FRATERNAL BIPARTISANSHIP AS POLITICAL TEMPERATURE RISES

“He told reporters that PA businesses had no interest in participating in the fair because of the President,” the state party said. “But in less than 48 hours, McCormick and Fetterman had a PA booth filled with items from dozens of PA businesses and items that truly represented our great Commonwealth.”

Pennsylvania’s booth featured a life-sized replica of the Liberty Bell, 14 rare antique American flags, coal mining exhibits, and popular snacks like Middleswarth and Utz potato chips. The Great American State Fair is wrapping up its 16-day run on Friday.