O’Malley endorses Fetterman in PA Senate race

Former Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley on Monday endorsed suburban Pittsburgh mayor John Fetterman for the Democratic nomination for the Pennsylvania Senate seat. 

{mosads}O’Malley, who ended his presidential bid earlier this month, emailed supporters to donate to Fetterman’s campaign and highlighted the mayor’s commitment to immigration reform. 

The former Maryland governor recounted the story of Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, whose family immigrated to the United States from Brazil. Her family overstayed their visa, but she eventually received her green card. O’Malley encouraged Americans to address “the issue of immigration with humanity and an understanding of how we have all been shaped by it, directly or indirectly.” 

“We need leaders in Washington who will tirelessly stand up to the kind of hateful, misguided rhetoric we’ve seen thrown at the millions of New Americans and fight to forge consensus on an issue that has shaped this country,” O’Malley wrote to supporters.

“I believe Braddock, Pennsylvania Mayor John Fetterman is that kind of leader, and that’s why today, I am endorsing his campaign for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania,” he continued. 

“As Mayor of Braddock, PA for more than ten years, he’s taken on the kinds of issues that are now at the forefront of the American conscience: income inequality, green jobs, access to healthcare and gun violence, to name just a few,” he added. 

Fetterman lags far behind Democratic primary opponents former Rep. Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty, former chief of staff to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D), in both fundraising and polling. 

According to year-end Federal Election Commission reports, Fetterman has about $130,000 cash on hand, compared to McGinty’s $1.1 million and Sestak’s $2.5 million.

The Democratic nominee will go on to face Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.) in the general election, which is considered to be one of the more competitive races this cycle.