Fetterman headed toward Democratic nomination in U.S. Senate race

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman jumped out to a commanding lead for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, but he didn’t get to enjoy the moment alongside supporters.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of State was reporting that Braddock’s Fetterman had collected 58.96% of the votes counted, compared with 26.48% for U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb of Mt. Lebanon, 10.31% for state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia and 4.25% for Montgomery County’s Alex Khalil.

The Associated Press had declared Fetterman the winner around 9 p.m.

While many candidates made their way to election watch parties with campaign staffers and supporters shortly after polls closed, Fetterman was recuperating in a Lancaster hospital after undergoing a surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator in his chest. The former Braddock mayor who became lieutenant governor in 2019 had been at the hospital since Friday, when his campaign said he suffered a stroke.

After doctors completed his procedure early Tuesday evening, Fetterman campaign spokesman Joe Calvello said, “He is resting at the hospital and recovering well. John continues to improve every day, and he is still on track for a full recovery.”

Later in the evening, Gisele Fetterman gave the closing night speech at her husband’s election night party at the Hyatt Regency hotel at Pittsburgh International Airport, thanking the crowd for their work and setting the stage for a general election battle that could be one of the most competitive and closely watched in the country.

“John is the official Democratic nominee,” she said to cheers.

“This race we’re running, it’s a race for the future of every community across Pennsylvania. For every small town, for every person who calls those small towns home and for every person who’s considered leaving because they didn’t see enough opportunities,” she said.

She addressed what she called “the elephant in the room, which is that my husband John Fetterman is not in the room,” telling the crowd he was recovering well from the stroke he suffered Friday, which required doctors to insert a pacemaker and defibrillator Tuesday.

Fetterman appeared briefly on a big screen during the party from the hospital, saying simply, “Thank you so much for everything. From my heart, thank you for everything.”

“How cute is he?” his wife asked after the cameo.

After the speeches, Gisele Fetterman talked to the press about facing off questions about her husband’s health in the general election, should they arise.

“I think anyone who would imply that he would be unfit to serve because of this procedure is also, I think, offending millions of Americans who have pacemakers,” she said. “I think he’s going to have a full, thriving life. He’s going to be able to do the same work as anyone else.”

Shortly before polls closed, Lamb stopped by Pittsburgh Colfax school in Squirrel Hill to greet voters. Despite being down in the polls, the second-term congressman showed no signs that his campaign might be in jeopardy. He enthusiastically shook hands, posed for selfies and asked voters about their top priorities.

During a lull in foot traffic, Lamb offered well wishes to Fetterman.

“I don’t think people understand how physically and mentally taxing it is,” Lamb said of campaigning. “I start off from a point of extreme sympathy. I’m thinking about him, personally.”

Lamb said voters he encountered throughout the day peppered him with questions about Fetterman’s health.

“It does seem like something you’d want to know about before voting,” Lamb said.

Noting that the public only learned about Fetterman’s surgery Tuesday afternoon, Lamb said, “Each new disclosure is a surprise.”

After the AP declared Fetterman the winner, campaign staffers at Lamb’s election watch party at Coach’s Bottleshop and Grille in Banksville declined to comment. Lamb did not make an appearance at the party.

The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this report.