Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has received his first challenger in the 2028 election.

Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian American writer and businessman, announced on Monday that he would throw his hat into the ring against the incumbent Democrat.

Fetterman has not said if he plans on seeking re-election.

“My name is Ahmed Moor and I’m running for US Senate here in PA (election 2028). I’m running to end the war in Iran and to promote the dignity agenda: free healthcare, free childcare, and affordable housing,” Moor said.

“I’m calling for accountability for genocide, for ICE and for corruption. And finally, for the protection of our civil liberties in America,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Moor is a Gaza-born Philadelphia resident and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

The Hill shared further:

Moor is running to the left of Fetterman, who has been more moderate since taking office, often publicly breaking with his party and drawing the ire of some Democrats. While he has said he won’t become a Republican, the Senator has warned he may leave his party if Democrats officially become anti-Israel. A poll in August showed he was more popular among Pennsylvania Republicans than Democrats.

With degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University, Moor moved to Pennsylvania with his family as a child. He worked in finance before pivoting to journalism, covering Beirut during the 2011 revolution in Egypt, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Moor lived in Jordan until he and his wife decided to move back to Philadelphia to raise their daughters five years ago.

“A few years ago my birthplace was turned to rubble in a genocide funded by our tax dollars, with the support of politicians on both sides of the aisle who can’t find money for transit or removing asbestos from our schools,” Moor wrote on his website.

“It’s clear the United States funds wars based on corruption and lies and has turned its back on its own people. We must make sure this never happens again. That’s why I’m running for U.S. Senate,” he added.

“The truth is, I’m not really running against Fetterman,” Moor said, according to The Hill.

“I’m running for good government. I’m running for the rule of law. I’m running because I believe in America. And I believe in our capacity for renewal. I believe in our capacity for redressing wrongs in our midst,” he added.

Newsweek has more:

Fetterman, whose term runs until January 3, 2029, has not said whether he will seek a second term, but some Democrats have made it clear they want him out of office. His seat is next up for election in November 2028.

He has seen his approval ratings plummet and has grown increasingly isolated from the Democratic Party, largely because of his staunch support for Israel.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fetterman has also faced criticism from wings of his party for frequently splitting with Democrats on issues ranging from immigration to Israel to vote with Republicans in a closely divided Senate. This led to speculation that he might switch parties—something he has denied. However, Democrats’ blue wave in the midterms elections saw them win decisive control of the Senate. So, Fetterman has now lost the unique leverage he had in Washington.

Fetterman also faced criticism from Democrats after The Wall Street Journal reported in September that he had little interest in doing the work of a senator, including routinely ducking meetings with constituents.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.