PA Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Files Paperwork To Run For U.S. Senate

BRADDOCK, PA —Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman last month said he is taking a "hard look" at running for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by retiring Republican Pat Toomey at the end of 2022.

Fetterman has taken another step in that direction by filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission stating his intention to run for the seat.

Fetterman, 51, ran for the Democratic Senate nomination in 2016, but lost to Democrat Katie McGinty. She then lost to Toomey. Fetterman was elected lieutenant governor in 2018.

Fetterman announced on his website last month that he was exploring a bid for Toomey's seat. Three days after the announcement, Fetterman said he had received more than $500,000 in donations from donors in all 50 states and 63 of the state's 67 counties.

“Without question, this display of support has intensified and accelerated this decision process," he said in a statement at that time. "Pennsylvania will be the most important Senate race in 2022. I'm confident we can win if we go for it. But before we announce a campaign, I want to get an idea of just how many of you would be with us."

Fetterman is the former mayor of Braddock, a small working class mill town just east of Pittsburgh.

Fetterman should have no shortage of competitors for the Democratic nomination for Senate, including current members of Congress. According to The Hill,among those considering a bid are Rep. Conor Lamb of Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania and representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Brendan Boyle and Madeleine Dean.