Let's meet John Fetterman, a dedicated American politician, who has been the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania since 2019, and learn about John Fetterman education, wiki, bio, net worth, career… as well as 1001 interesting facts about him.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Fetterman previously served as the Mayor of Braddock from 2005 to 2019. Born on August 15, 1969, in Pennsylvania, he has made his mark as a candidate in the 2016 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania and is reportedly gearing up for another run in 2022.
John Fetterman Education, Bio & Wiki – Basic Information
- Real Name: John Karl Fetterman
- Nickname: John Fetterman
- Sex: Male
- Career: Politician
- Height (approx.):
- In centimeters - 203 cm
- In meters - 2.03 m
- In feet inches - 6′ 8″
- Weight (approx.):
- In Kilograms - 110 kg
- In pounds - 242.5 lbs
- Eye Colour: Blue
- Hair Colour: Bald
- DOB: 15 August 1969
- Age (as in 2023): 54 years
- POB: United States
- Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Leo
- Nationality: American
- Hometown: Pennsylvania
- Basic Education: Havard Kenedy School (1999)
- Higher Education: University of Connecticut, Albright College
- Educational Qualification: MBA
- Religion: Christian
- Ethnicity: White
- Marital Status: Married
- Sexuality: Straight
- Parents:
- Karl Fetterman (Father)
- Susan Fetterman (Mother)
- Husband/Wife/Spouse: Gisele Barreto Fetterman
- Net Worth: $1.58 million
John Fetterman Education & Early Life
John Fetterman was born on August 15, 1969, in West Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. Born to teenage parents Karl and Susan Fetterman, who struggled with poverty, he grew up with his brother Gregg Fetterman. They later moved to York, Pennsylvania, where his father found success in the insurance business.
In his early childhood, John had a tendency to sleepwalk. During his time at Albright College, he played football while aiming to eventually take over his father's business. After graduating in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in finance, he initially pursued an MBA at the University of Connecticut. However, tragedy struck when a fatal accident took his best friend's life while driving him from the gym.
This event shifted his perspective, igniting a desire to make a positive impact. Joining AmeriCorps in 1995, he taught GED-seeking students in Pittsburgh. After two years, he pursued further education at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, earning a Master of Public Policy in 1999. This journey marked the transformation of his life's direction.
John Fetterman Education Path With Details
John Fetterman's educational journey reflects his evolving perspective. Growing up amidst affluence, he grappled with sleepwalking during his teenage years. With aspirations rooted in his father's business, he balanced this with a four-year stint playing college football. After graduating from Albright College with a finance degree, he then pursued an MBA in 1993.
However, a tragic incident shifted his focus. His friend's untimely death during his time at UConn led Fetterman to join Big Brothers Big Sisters, becoming a mentor to an eight-year-old boy named David. David's mother was battling AIDS, and his father had succumbed to the illness. This experience ignited Fetterman's passion for social justice and the role of luck in life.
In 1995, he joined AmeriCorps, serving Pittsburgh's GED students. Following this, he worked in risk management for Chubb in Pittsburgh. Seeking further education, he earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School in 1999. This unique path ultimately molded Fetterman's commitment to making a difference.
John Fetterman – The Personal Life
John Fetterman's personal life is intertwined with that of Gisele Barreto Fetterman, a Brazilian-American activist and his wife. In a heartwarming tale, he received a letter from Almeida, a former undocumented resident of Newark, New Jersey, who had learned about Fetterman's work as the mayor of Braddock.
This connection led Almeida to Braddock, where Fetterman extended a warm welcome, and within a year, the two were engaged. Their family, comprising three children and their two rescue dogs, Levi and Artie, finds its home in a former auto dealership, a choice that steers them clear of the official residence of the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
The Fetterman household gained attention when Gisele shared an image of their home in the fall of 2020, around the time John was under public scrutiny. A viral sensation ensued, driven by Levi, one of their dogs, whose amusing expression captured hearts.
This led to the creation of a Twitter account in Levi's name by an enthusiastic admirer, who went on to befriend Gisele Fetterman. Their online presence has garnered over 25,000 followers each, including both Levi and Artie. Levi even made an appearance on the CW's Dogs of the Year 2021 television special.
Notably unassuming in appearance, Fetterman is often seen sporting shorts and a hoodie. Despite his relaxed attire, he navigates the dress code of the Pennsylvania Senate, which he oversees. In fact, he possesses just a single suit that adheres to this code.
John Fetterman - The Mayor Of Braddock
John Fetterman, originally beginning his career as an insurance agent, embarked on a journey that led him to become the mayor of Braddock. In 2001, he immersed himself in community service by joining AmeriCorps and dedicating himself to helping local youths attain their GED. Subsequently, he permanently settled in Braddock in 2004.
Braddock, once a thriving industrial hub celebrated for hosting Andrew Carnegie's inaugural steel factory, faced a grim decline due to the collapse of the American steel industry.
The town's plight was stark, having lost 90% of its population since the 1920s peak, with no supermarkets, gas stations, or ATMs. Despite its challenges, Fetterman was drawn to Braddock's unconventional beauty and its unyielding spirit.
In the capacity of both the city's full-time youth program director and part-time mayor, Fetterman became deeply ingrained in the community's revival. To support this cause, he founded the charitable initiative Braddock Redux, employing it to purchase and rehabilitate properties within the town.
The role of mayor in Braddock came with a meager stipend of $150 per month, leading Fetterman's father to step in and provide financial assistance. In 2015, his father extended a total of $54,000 in support.
A physical embodiment of his commitment, Fetterman's tattoos bear a strong connection to the Braddock neighborhood. His left arm displays Braddock's ZIP code, 15104, while his right arm bears the dates of nine tragic killings that occurred during his tenure as mayor.
John Fetterman's Path To Public Office: Rise To The Role Of Mayor
John Fetterman's journey into elected office began in 2005 when he took on the incumbent, Pauline Abdullah, for the mayorship. Drawing support from the town's youth, he secured victory in the Democratic primary by a single vote. The subsequent general election saw him emerge victorious, with no Republican opposition.
In the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor of Braddock, Fetterman faced off against Jayme Cox. Cox's campaign focused on criticizing Fetterman for alleged failures in working with the town council during the year. Moreover, Cox accused Fetterman of misusing his authority by making private documents public, which revealed Cox's detention in 2004.
Lawrence Shields, the Braddock solicitor, echoed these concerns, stating that Fetterman's actions constituted an abuse of his mayoral position and violated Pennsylvania's laws on criminal background checks.
Despite these challenges, Fetterman prevailed over Cox in the primary by a substantial margin of 294 to 103 votes. In subsequent years, 2013 and 2017, Fetterman sailed through the Democratic primaries with ease, running uncontested in the general elections.
The Tenure Of John Fetterman
John Fetterman's tenure as mayor was marked by a series of proactive measures aimed at revitalizing Braddock. One of his initial actions upon taking office was creating a website that showcased the town's abandoned and demolished structures, highlighting the need for transformation.
Fetterman has implemented various youth and art initiatives, working to breathe new life into the community's cultural fabric. He also embarked on a mission to redevelop vacant buildings, aiming to stimulate the struggling economy.
Notably, Fetterman's dedication extended to the physical spaces within Braddock. Investing $50,000 of personal funds, he acquired the First Presbyterian Church before its demolition. Spending months residing in its basement, he repurposed the church into a vibrant gathering space.
This innovative spirit led him to purchase a neighboring warehouse for $2,000, enhancing it with shipping containers on the roof for additional living space.
Fetterman's efforts to make Braddock an attractive destination for new residents gained momentum through its affordable housing options. His call resonated across the nation, drawing people from places like Chicago and Portland, Oregon, who saw potential in the town's resurgence and future prospects.
Responding to his invitation, a group of Brooklyn residents relocated, transforming an abandoned church into an art center. However, concerns about gentrification underscored the town's redevelopment.
Despite Fetterman's endeavors to increase Braddock's population, the town's inhabitants have remained at or below 2,000, with many houses condemned or unusable. His advocacy for the community extended beyond the town's borders. In November 2010, his refusal to leave the Pittsburgh U.S. Steel Tower grounds led to his detainment, although he was released without further incident.
While Fetterman was lauded for his initiatives, criticism emerged for his perceived delay in opposing the contentious closure of Braddock Hospital by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Although an urgent-care facility later emerged, the community was left without a hospital after the closure of Braddock Hospital, an establishment that employed 600 people and played a crucial role in the area's healthcare landscape.
John Fetterman's Shotgun Incident
In January 2013, a controversial incident involving John Fetterman took place in North Braddock. He faced criticism for pursuing an unarmed jogger and firing a shotgun at him, believing he heard gunshots.
The jogger, Chris Miyares, later clarified that the sounds were actually children shooting bottle rockets. Fetterman maintained that no evidence of debris was found. As he loaded the shotgun, he reportedly aimed it toward Miyares' chest and face.
However, Fetterman disputes aiming the gun at Miyares, asserting that he did so only to demonstrate his possession of a weapon, without a loaded cartridge or the safety off. He insists he acted appropriately and did not apologize. No charges were filed against either party, and Miyares did not file an official complaint.
John Fetterman's 2016 U.S. Senate Campaign
In the 2016 U.S. Senate race, John Fetterman threw his hat into the ring for the Democratic nomination to vie for Pat Toomey's Senate seat. He announced his candidacy on September 14, 2015.
Fetterman's bid was seen as a challenging endeavor compared to more recognizable ps like Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty. However, he garnered support from Martin O'Malley, former Maryland governor, Barbara Hafer, former Pennsylvania treasurer, and the editorial board of PennLive.
Throughout his campaign, Fetterman championed progressive values and rallied grassroots support, evoking parallels to Bernie Sanders. He was the sole statewide Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania to endorse Sanders.
Despite lacking name recognition and limited campaign funds, he secured 20% of the primary vote, a notable feat given his initial low polling numbers. In the end, Katie McGinty clinched the primary victory with backing from Barack Obama and other U.S. senators.
Following the primary, Fetterman campaigned for McGinty, but the election ultimately saw Pat Toomey's re-election. In a subsequent campaign, Fetterman secured third place in the 2016 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's Senate seat, surpassing incumbent Mike Stack and other contenders for the lieutenant governor position. Collaborating with Governor Tom Wolf, he emerged victorious in the general election.
Fetterman's time in office was marked by high-profile initiatives, notably his advocacy for statewide marijuana legalization and his response to President Donald Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud in Pennsylvania.
Looking ahead, Fetterman announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat in 2022. Winning the Democratic nomination with an impressive 59% of the vote, he is set to face Republican Mehmet Oz in the general election.
Renowned for his progressive stance, Fetterman supports key issues such as marijuana legalization, a $15 minimum wage, stronger U.S.-Israel relations, and recognition of healthcare as a fundamental human right.
John Fetterman's Interaction With Donald Trump
In November 2020, amidst claims by Donald Trump that voter fraud occurred in the 2020 presidential election, John Fetterman responded by remarking that he could sue a ham sandwich and likened Trump's behavior to that of an ordinary internet troll. This retort, capturing the essence of his view, drew significant national media coverage.
Following Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania's 2020 presidential election by a margin of over 81,000 votes, the results faced scrutiny due to Trump's allegations of voter fraud.
In response, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the election outcomes in Pennsylvania and other states. This effort gained support from 18 Republican Attorneys General from different states.
Dan Patrick, Texas' lieutenant governor, amplified this stance by offering a $1,000,000 reward to anyone presenting evidence of fraud in the contested states. In response, Fetterman highlighted three instances of voter fraud in Pennsylvania.
He noted two instances where men voted on behalf of their deceased mothers and a third where a man voted for both himself and his son (both votes were for Trump). Fetterman humorously remarked that his Texas counterpart was obligated to make a million-dollar payout for each of these instances.
He cheekily emphasized that Trump had indeed received every vote from deceased mothers in Pennsylvania. This playful take on alleged electoral fraud garnered extensive media attention, spotlighting Fetterman's perspective on the matter.
John Fetterman’s 2022 U.S. Senate Campaign
During his campaign, John Fetterman faced a significant challenge from sitting U.S. Representative Conor Lamb in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat. A political action group supporting Lamb launched advertisements criticizing Fetterman for aligning with democratic socialism.
Notably, these ads referenced a National Public Radio piece that labeled Fetterman as such. It's worth mentioning that Fetterman himself had never officially claimed the socialist label, as noted by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In the campaign, both Lamb and another contender, Malcolm Kenyatta, criticized Fetterman for an incident where he pointed a loaded shotgun at a black jogger, whom he believed had fired a gun.
While Fetterman dominated several polls during the Democratic primary, he received relatively few endorsements. State Representative John I. Kane attributed this lack of support partially to Fetterman's independent approach.
Philadelphia state representative Darisha Parker explained that Fetterman's failure to personally introduce himself to her and her colleagues contributed to the lack of endorsements.
In the end, Fetterman secured a resounding victory in the Democratic primary, capturing 58.7% of the vote. He outpaced his closest competitor, Conor Lamb, by an impressive 32.4%. Notably, Fetterman won every county, including Philadelphia County, but he faced challenges in majority-black precincts where his appeal among black voters was limited, receiving only 18% of the vote.
During the campaign's climax, Gisele Fetterman, John Fetterman's wife, delivered the winning speech. John was unable to be present due to being in the hospital following a stroke. Despite this setback, Fetterman's triumph in the Democratic primary was a significant milestone in his pursuit of the Senate seat.
John Fetterman's Political Standpoint
John Fetterman is often recognized as a symbol of both social and economic advancement. In his bid for the 2022 Senate race, Fetterman clarified that he identifies as a Democrat rather than solely a progressive.
He emphasized that many elements of his agenda, once considered progressive, are now integral to mainstream party principles. In 2022, The New York Times characterized Fetterman's perspective as left-leaning, capturing his political stance as he navigates the political landscape.
John Fetterman – Net Value
John Fetterman’s estimated net worth ranges from $717,000 to $1.58 million, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Allegheny County filed a lawsuit for unpaid taxes against Fetterman and his non-profit Braddock Redux in 2008. A $25,000 tax lien was put in place against Fetterman and his non-profit. Fetterman settled the back taxes in 2012.
John Fetterman’s Health Condition
John Fetterman's health journey has been marked by notable developments. In 2017, Fetterman's concern over unanticipated swelling in his feet led him to undergo medical tests.
During this time, he received the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, along with a reduced heart pump, from cardiologist Ramesh Chandra. However, this information remained undisclosed to the public until Fetterman's stroke in May 2022.
In 2018, Fetterman openly discussed a significant transformation in his physical health. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), he embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey. Fetterman shed around 150 pounds (180 kg), a substantial achievement that saw him go from weighing over 400 pounds (70 kg) to achieving a healthier weight.
An incident on June 4, 2019, further underscored the lieutenant governor's health. While presiding over the State Senate, Fetterman lost his balance, gripping the lectern to steady himself.
A nurse from the Capitol attended to him as he felt overheated. Fetterman's spokeswoman confirmed that he subsequently returned to his usual state. These instances highlight the evolving nature of Fetterman's health journey and the resilience he has shown throughout.
John Fetterman Education – Conclusion:
In summary, John Fetterman's journey encompasses political endeavors, advocacy, and health struggles that collectively reveal his resilience and dedication. From his role as Braddock's Mayor to his Senate campaign, Fetterman's progressive values and grassroots involvement have left a lasting mark.
His engagement with Donald Trump, victory over Conor Lamb in the primary, and distinctive political stance underscore his unique political persona. Fetterman's health challenges, including atrial fibrillation and significant weight loss, highlight his determination.
With his financial history and advocacy for change, Fetterman remains an influential p in American politics, embodying tenacity across various spheres.
John Fetterman Education – FAQ:
1. Who Is John Fetterman’s Wife?
John Fetterman’s wife is Gisele Barreto Fetterman, a Brazilian-American activist.
2. What Is John Fetterman Career?
He is an American politician. He currently serves as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.
3. What Is John Fetterman’s Net Worth?
His estimated net worth ranges from $717,000 - $1.58 million.
4. How Old Is John Fetterman?
He is 54 years old (as of 2023).
5. About John Fetterman Education, How Many Schools Did He Attend?
John Fetterman attended Harvard Kenedy School, Albright College, and the University of Connecticut for his education.