U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) walks to the chamber as senators grapple with making a deal to fund the U.S. government and avert a shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick have taken their bipartisan partnership into territory almost never shared by members of opposing parties: campaign fundraising.
A new joint fundraising committee called Common Ground PA will collect money for political organizations connected to both senators. The structure allows a donor to make one contribution that is then divided among Fetterman’s campaign, McCormick’s campaign and affiliated political committees.
Joint fundraising committees are common within a political party. A cross-party version involving two sitting senators is highly unusual, particularly at a time when national campaigns are built around portraying the other side as an existential threat.
The arrangement reflects a relationship that has become increasingly visible in Pennsylvania. Fetterman, a Democrat, and McCormick, a Republican, have appeared together on state issues and have promoted areas of cooperation even while voting differently on much of the national agenda.
The new committee has also revived speculation about Fetterman’s political future. He has broken with Democratic leaders on immigration, Israel, government shutdown strategy and several Trump administration priorities. Those disagreements have led some activists to wonder whether he might eventually leave the party.
Fetterman has repeatedly rejected that idea, and a bipartisan fundraising vehicle does not amount to a party switch. It may instead be an effort to reward cooperation, attract donors tired of partisan warfare and build independent influence for both senators.
There are strategic benefits on each side. McCormick can present himself as a Republican able to work with a Democrat in a closely divided state. Fetterman can reinforce his image as an independent-minded senator who is willing to anger party leaders.
The bigger test will come when cooperation carries a political cost. Raising money together is a striking symbol, but voters will judge the partnership by whether it produces legislation, federal investment or tangible results for Pennsylvania. For now, Common Ground PA is a rare experiment in whether bipartisanship can become not only a governing message, but a fundraising brand.
