Midterms 2026 · Report · File No. 261110-096
House Democrats weigh 2028 Senate bids, led by Pennsylvania's Fetterman seat
After the Democratic midterm wins, House members are openly weighing runs for Senate seats in 2028. Pennsylvania is the clearest example, and the party sees chances to build on its gains.
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Days after Democrats' midterm wins, members of the U.S. House are sizing up Senate runs in 2028. The clearest case is Pennsylvania, where Sen. John Fetterman's seat is next on the ballot. Fetterman has not said whether he will seek a second six-year term 1.
Rep. Chris Deluzio, a 42-year-old Navy veteran from the Pittsburgh area, has signaled he is highly likely to enter the race sometime after the Nov. 3 election, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported 1. He told the paper he has no timeline. He said the choice could be the House, the Senate or "something altogether different" 1.
Who is in and who is out
Deluzio laid out three tests for himself 1. His campaign finance reports show $3.8 million raised this cycle, more than any other Pennsylvania House Democrat, the Inquirer reported 1. His fundraising has also outpaced Fetterman's, though Fetterman's rebounded slightly in the latest quarterly reports 1.
Rep. Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia says he is not running. He pointed to his expected role as chairman of the House Budget Committee, NBC10 reported 2. Rep. Madeleine Dean, who won a fifth term, is still weighing her options 2.
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State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta is choosing between a Senate run and another bid for state auditor general. A source described that choice to NBC10 as 50-50 2. Kenyatta ran against Fetterman in the 2022 Democratic primary 2.
I would not like John Fetterman to be the 2028 nominee.
Can my family support this? Can I win? And will I be the best damn senator possible?
The national map
Pennsylvania is one piece of a larger 2028 map. The Washington Examiner reports that 34 Senate seats will be up that year: 19 held by Republicans and 15 by Democrats 3. It says Republicans will be defending seats in Wisconsin and North Carolina that are considered toss-ups 3.
The Examiner also reports that Democrats won Senate seats in North Carolina and Georgia this year. It says they also won red-leaning seats in Kansas, South Carolina, Ohio and Iowa 3. It says the party could hold the chamber for a long stretch because senators serve six-year terms 3. Several Senate races are still uncalled, so final totals may change.
Pennsylvania also saw Democratic gains in the House. The party flipped four GOP-held seats there: the 1st District in Bucks County, the 7th in the Lehigh Valley, the 8th around Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, and the 10th around Harrisburg 2.
What happens next
No one has formally launched a 2028 Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, based on the reports we reviewed. Deluzio has said he has no timeline 1. Fetterman has not said whether he will run again 1. Fetterman has been criticized for alienating fellow Democrats and for being an absentee senator, the Inquirer reported 1.
That matters because a Senate majority decides who sits on the federal courts and whether spending bills pass. Democrats' choices over the next year will shape how many seats they can add in 2028. That is the next chance to check President Trump and the Republican agenda.
The Record
- The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Rep. Chris Deluzio has signaled he is highly likely to run for Fetterman's Senate seat after the midterms 1.
- Midterm election day; Democrats flip four Pennsylvania U.S. House seats 2.
- NBC10 reports Rep. Brendan Boyle will not run and says he does not want Fetterman as the 2028 nominee 2.
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Sources
- The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Chris Deluzio and John Fetterman 2028 Senate race in Pennsylvania” (2026-11-02). inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/chris-deluzio-john-fetter
- NBC10 Philadelphia, “Democrats weighing run for 2028 Senate, John Fetterman” (2026-11-06). nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/democrats-weighing-run-for-20
- Washington Examiner, “Democrats won control of the Senate. They might not give it back until 2032” (2026-11-04). washingtonexaminer.com/?p=4791947
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
More from the files
Ahmed Moor announces 2028 primary challenge to Sen. John Fetterman in Pennsylvania
Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian American writer from Philadelphia, is the first declared challenger to Fetterman. His launch comes days after Democrats won the Senate and cost Fetterman his leverage.
Sen. Chris Murphy leaves hospital after stroke, will miss weeks of Senate votes
The Connecticut Democrat was discharged Friday and will recover at a rehabilitation center. His absence comes as his party prepares to take over the Senate.
Pennsylvania House results: three GOP incumbents in tight races as polls close
Republicans Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan and Scott Perry are fighting for their seats in three Pennsylvania districts, an early test of whether Democrats can win control of the House.
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