Fetterman Often Absent From Lieutenant Governor Commitments, Records Show

John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee in a tightly contested Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race against Republican Mehmet Oz, has drawn widespread criticism for making few public appearances, mostly avoiding the media, and agreeing to just one debate.

Oz has said that Fetterman is hiding from voters and reporters, and trying to run the clock out on the race as the candidates compete to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.

Now, an Oct. 6 Associated Press report indicates that Fetterman has kept a light daily schedule as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor and has often been absent from state business, including presiding over the state Senate, which is one of his most significant responsibilities.

Fetterman has served four years as lieutenant governor, an elected role in Pennsylvania, with an annual salary of $179,000.

A billboard from Mehmet Oz’s campaign about John Fetterman stands at the entrance of Braddock, Pa., where Fetterman lives and served as mayor for several years. (Jeff Louderback(Epoch Times)

In Pennsylvania, a lieutenant governor’s primary roles are to preside over state Senate sessions, serve as chair of the Board of Pardons, and lead the governor’s emergency management committee.

The Associated Press review of Fetterman’s records shows that his daily schedule was empty for around one-third of the workdays between January 2019, when he took office, and May 2022, when he suffered a severe stroke just days before the primary.

On days when his schedule listed activity, Fetterman’s typical workday lasted four to five hours, the records indicate. In 2019, details show he frequently attended ribbon cuttings and traveled the state on a listening tour about the topic of legalizing marijuana.

During the COVID-19 crisis, records show that Fetterman’s schedule often included a morning meeting about the pandemic followed by interviews with local and national media outlets.

There were instances when Fetterman

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases