Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro carefully navigated questions about his potential support for Senator John Fetterman’s possible reelection bid in 2028 during a recent press event in Washington, hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. Shapiro’s responses highlighted the ongoing complexities in the relationship between two of Pennsylvania’s leading Democrats.

“John will decide if he’s going to run for reelection. I appreciate his service,” Shapiro stated, skillfully avoiding a direct endorsement when pressed on whether he admired Fetterman enough to support him should he seek another term. The governor maintained a diplomatic tone, emphasizing unity and joint efforts: “Of course. And we all work together to do good things for the people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro replied when asked if he liked Fetterman personally.

The dynamic between Shapiro and Fetterman has been notably strained, marked by public and private disagreements. This tension was brought into sharper focus with Fetterman’s 2025 memoir, where he openly criticized Shapiro’s motivations in politics and recounted an incident where he referred to Shapiro using derogatory language during a state pardon board meeting. Despite this, Shapiro confirmed that the two are still on speaking terms, citing a recent collaborative meeting that also included Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Fetterman’s political stance has sparked controversy among his own party ranks. His centrist approaches in Congress, including support for some of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices and positions on Israel, have stirred dissatisfaction among progressive Democrats, prompting discussions of a primary challenge against him.

Governor Shapiro’s own memoir, released this week and titled “Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service,” makes only brief mentions of Fetterman, underscoring the delicate and possibly cooling relationship between the two politicians. These mentions are confined to their coincidental appearances at political events, with no deep dive into their professional or personal interactions.

As Pennsylvania politics continue to evolve, the interplay between these two prominent figures will be closely watched, especially as the 2028 elections approach. Whether they can mend fences or will proceed on increasingly divergent paths remains a point of keen interest for both the public and political analysts alike. A representative for Senator Fetterman has yet to comment on the matter.