Hi John! 👋
We’ve had a lot of new supporters join our campaign lately, so I think it’s time for another introduction to who I am + what our campaign is all about.
Sound good? Cool.
(This is going to get a little long, so if you don’t have the time to read through right now, I’d appreciate it if you could chip in a few bucks to help this people-powered campaign meet our February fundraising goal.)
Well, let’s start from the beginning.
I’m a Pennsylvania native, born to teenage parents just trying to make it on their own. I grew up in York, PA, and after I graduated high school, I went to Albright College — the same college my dad went to while working the night shift to support us when I was a baby. Go Lions! 🦁 I played offensive tackle there because, well, look at me.
After college, I went to business school in Connecticut. This is where I started my work + dedication to public service, John. When I was 23, I signed up with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and, well, my life has never been the same.
I officially met my “little,” Nick—one of the most transformative relationships of my life. This little dude was so sweet and incredibly smart, and I felt so lucky to be his mentor.
Nick’s father had just died of AIDS, and his mother would soon succumb to the disease as well, leaving Nick an orphan at just 8 years old. Right before his mother died, I promised her I would get her son to college.
Fifteen years later, we both held up our ends of the bargain, with Nick graduating from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. I’m so grateful I got to be there, with Gisele + baby Karl by my side.
In 1995 I joined AmeriCorps and served in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District, where I helped set up the first computer labs in the neighborhood and taught GED classes to young mothers and fathers.
Then, 20 years ago, I returned to Pennsylvania, after receiving a degree in public policy at Harvard University, to start a GED program in the town of Braddock, a majority-Black town, and one of the poorest and most challenged communities in the commonwealth. In 2005, encouraged by my students, I ran for mayor — and won a very crowded primary by a single vote.
In my 13 years as mayor, I worked to rebuild our community, creating jobs, getting youth engaged, and bringing creative urban policy solutions to Braddock. The town now has a community center, urban gardens, and a free store run by my incredible wife, Gisele.
Together, we have fought for causes we believe in, from immigration reform to LGBTQ+ rights. When Pennsylvania lawmakers continued to push outdated discriminatory policies banning marriage equality, I stood up and officiated one of the first same-sex marriages in the commonwealth.
And when they wanted to build a four-lane interstate highway through Braddock, a town that’s more than 70% Black and already suffered historically high asthma rates, I was the only elected official in Western Pennsylvania who opposed it on the grounds that it was environmental racism.
In 2018, I ran to be Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor, and won over voters across the commonwealth (not just in Philly + Pittsburgh), winning a five-way Democratic primary and a commanding victory in the general election aside Gov. Tom Wolf.
Weeks after taking office, my team and I embarked on a listening tour of all 67 counties, something no sitting Lt. Governor has ever done, to engage with Pennsylvanians about legalizing marijuana. In three months, the historic tour saw over 10,000 people turn out in person and tens of thousands more engage online. Shortly after this, the Governor announced his support for legalization for the first time.
As the chair of Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons, I am leading the fight to give second chances to non-violent offenders, and free those who have been wrongfully convicted. Under my tenure, the Board has recommended more applicants for commutation than under any lieutenant governor in decades. I’m really proud of that, John.
(And I’m almost done, don’t worry.)
As many of you know, Gisele and I have chosen not to settle in the Lt. Governor’s Mansion, instead opening up the pool in the official residence to children who typically wouldn’t have access to one. We live with our three beautiful children Karl, Gracie, and August, in a restored car dealership in Braddock with our adopted dogs, Levi + Artie.
That brings us to today. Over the past year, we’ve been running a 67-County campaign, connecting with voters across PA, truly living our campaign motto of Every County, Every Vote. If the people of the Commonwealth send me to the U.S. Senate, I’ll fight like hell for everyone — for kids like Nick, for students + their families in towns like Braddock, for communities who face discrimination, for our unions, for my family + for yours.
John, now that you know more about me, my family, and what we stand for, I’m respectfully asking: Can you please make your first $5 donation today to help send me to the U.S. Senate? Our campaign is completely funded by grassroots supporters like you + we’re *so close* to meeting our $100,000 February goal.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your support means the world to me. 💛
John
John Fetterman
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
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Email us: [email protected]
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