Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday pushed back against Sen. John Fetterman's (D-Pa.) advice to scale back his endorsements of progressive candidates in key midterm races, signaling no retreat from the internal Democratic battle over the party's direction.
Fetterman told CNN's Manu Raju on Tuesday that Sanders should "maybe sit a few out" when it comes to backing left-wing contenders like Abdul El-Sayed, who is challenging Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in Michigan's Senate primary. "You're not helping," Fetterman said.
Sanders responded sharply in an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, dismissing the suggestion and vowing to double down. "John — not gonna take your advice," Sanders said. "We're going to work as hard as we can not only to elect El-Sayed, but Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and strong congressional candidates across the country who have the guts to start taking on big money and representing workers."
The exchange underscores the widening rift between the party's progressive wing and its more moderate faction, with Fetterman blasting Sanders over endorsements of El-Sayed and an embattled Maine candidate in recent weeks. Fetterman, who has positioned himself as a pragmatic voice on issues like Israel and economic policy, has also faced speculation about his party affiliation, which Sanders alluded to in his remarks.
El-Sayed and Stevens face off in Michigan's Democratic primary on Tuesday. The winner will face former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) in November to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). A new Emerson College Polling/WLNS/WOODTV survey shows El-Sayed leading Stevens by 15 points, with 54 percent support to Stevens's 39 percent.
When pressed by Collins on whether he would campaign for Stevens if she wins the primary, Sanders said he would back her. "I don't know that she'd want me. I'd support her," he said. "I want Democrats to control the Senate. I think both Haley and Abdul have made it clear that if the other candidate wins they will be supportive. So will I."
The tension comes as Schumer presses Fetterman to stay in Democratic caucus amid party rifts, with some Republicans like Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) publicly courting him. Fetterman has also drawn a hard line on Israel, warning he'd quit Democrats if party abandons ally, further deepening the ideological divide.
Sanders's refusal to back down suggests the progressive push to reshape the party will continue unabated, even as Democrats face tough midterm battles. "We need candidates who are prepared to take on the billionaire class and corporate interests," Sanders said. "That's what this is about."
El-Sayed and Stevens have both said they would support the eventual Democratic nominee, but the primary has become a proxy war for the party's soul. Sanders's involvement could galvanize progressive voters but also risks alienating moderates in a general election that will decide control of the Senate.
