Sen. John Fetterman said Democrats could regain control of the Senate in November's midterms while declining to commit to his own political plans afterward at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Saturday.
"It's entirely possible" Democrats win the Senate, the Pennsylvania Democrat said .
Asked by CBS News about his own plans, Fetterman added: "Let's revisit after the midterm." Democrats currently face a 53-47 Republican majority, but Fetterman argued his own position could become particularly consequential if the party gains enough seats to make him its 51st vote.
"Let's see what happens if I happen to be 51 — I don't know," he said at the event. Fetterman has previously said he would remain Democrats' 51st vote if the party retakes the chamber, but his comments Saturday left questions about his longer-term plans unresolved.
Fetterman rejected speculation that he could become a Republican, saying he has "no path as a Republican" and noting that he still votes with Democrats roughly 90% of the time. He also said he is fundraising with a possible 2028 reelection campaign in mind but will make decisions about his future after the midterms.
His comments follow a series of breaks with Democrats, including his support for President Donald Trump's war with Iran. On Thursday, Fetterman was the only Democratic senator to oppose advancing a measure aimed at limiting Trump's war powers in Iran.
Earlier this month, Fetterman also appeared by video at the Republican midterm convention, where he introduced Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and pledged to work with Trump on steel.
At the Texas event, Fetterman argued Democrats should tolerate a wider range of views and again rejected suggestions that his disagreements mean he belongs outside the party.
He inadvertently complicated that message when asked why he would not become an independent. "Because I'm a lifelong Republican," Fetterman said before immediately realizing his mistake, laughing and correcting himself to say he is a lifelong Democrat.
"I guarantee you that will break through," he said of the slip. "That will get clipped."
