The Senator from Pennsylvania mistakenly identified as a member of the GOP during a speaking engagement in Texas. While appearing at TribFest, John Fetterman told a crowd he was a "lifelong Republican" when asked by Major Garrett why he does not switch to an independent party. He corrected the remark to "A Democrat" immediately after Garrett questioned the statement.

Fetterman also declined to commit to acting as the 51st member of a Democratic Senate majority should the party win the midterms. He stated he did not know if he would occupy that position and told the audience the matter should be revisited after the election.