The Democratic National Convention, kicking off in Chicago this Monday evening, is set to be a star-studded affair. However, one prominent figure will be notably absent from the event – Sen. John Fetterman. Despite Kamala Harris’s formal recognition as the Democratic presidential candidate, Fetterman has made the decision to skip the convention in order to prioritize spending time with his family. This choice was made well before the highly anticipated debate on June 27 between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, which ultimately led to Biden dropping out of the race.
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“I’ve got three young kids, and they’re out of school,” Fetterman told the Free Press on Sunday. “That’s four days I can spend with my children.”
The decision by the York County native is unrelated to his controversial pro-Israel stance, which has garnered him criticism from progressives. Despite facing backlash for his views, Fetterman remains steadfast in his convictions. Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, he has maintained a firm stance, even in the face of protests and criticism from his own staffers.
On the other hand, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a frontrunner for Harris’s vice presidential pick before she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be present at the DNC. Recent reports indicated that Fetterman expressed concerns to Harris’s team regarding Shapiro’s political aspirations, ultimately impacting his decision to skip the convention.
Notably, Fetterman isn’t the only Democratic senator opting out of the event. Montana’s Jon Tester cited harvest season and farm work as reasons for his absence, as reported by NPR. Tester has yet to endorse Harris for president, while Democratic Senators Sherrod Brown and Jacky Rosen will also be missing from the convention.