Young voters in Pennsylvania reject John Fetterman as support plunges in new Yale poll exposing Democratic disconnect

As the 2028 presidential race slowly starts creeping into political conversations, one surprising name is making headlines—but not for the right reasons.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, once seen as a rising star with his working-class appeal and no-nonsense image, is hitting a serious wall with young voters, and the numbers are hard to ignore.

Fetterman Scores Lowest Favorability Among Young Democrats

In a recent Spring 2025 Youth Poll from Yale University, more than 2,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 29 were asked about their views on potential Democratic candidates.

The results? A brutal -17.2 net favorability rating for Fetterman.

That places him at the very bottom of the list, far behind figures like Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who both saw glowing +60 net ratings.

To make matters worse, the only other figure to dip into the negative range was ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith—with a -16.9 score. Yes, a sports analyst polled just slightly better than a sitting senator. That says a lot.

Progressive Youth Feel Betrayed by Fetterman’s Shift

So what’s behind this dramatic drop in support? According to political analysts, it comes down to a growing disconnect between Fetterman’s centrist stances and the progressive energy of young voters.

Many of these voters remember his earlier promises of bold change, especially around social justice.

But over time, they’ve watched him align with more conservative policies and even collaborate with Republicans—moves that don’t sit well with the younger generation.

“I was so confused and honestly mad,” said Kinnan Abdalhamid, a Palestinian-American college student in Philadelphia.

“He just doesn’t seem open-minded anymore.” Another student, Mitch, didn’t hold back either: “He ran as a progressive, but now he’s flipped completely. It feels like betrayal.”

Meanwhile, AOC and Harris Are Soaring in the Polls

While Fetterman flounders, other Democratic figures are climbing.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is leading the charge with a whopping 62 percent positive rating among Democrats under 30, beating out Kamala Harris by just a hair.

According to polling expert Nate Silver, AOC might be the one to watch in 2028.

Speaking on his Substack video podcast, Silver said she “ticks all the boxes”—she’s young, progressive, media-savvy, and isn’t afraid to challenge big names like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

In fact, polls even show her outperforming Schumer in New York if she chose to run against him.

Galen Druke, a journalist joining Silver on the podcast, added that AOC has “a lot of things working in her favor right now,” especially among the youth vote that’s shaping the future of the party.

The Democratic Party Faces a Youth Disconnect

Stephen A. Smith’s inclusion in the poll may have been a head-scratcher to some, but Smith himself had a sharp take.

During a recent ABC News interview, he pointed out that his appearance on a political poll wasn’t a win for him—it was a reflection of how much the Democratic Party is struggling to connect.

“They don’t get anything done,” Smith said bluntly.

“That’s why someone like me, a sports analyst, ends up in your polls. It’s an indictment, not a compliment.”

His frustration echoes a broader concern among many younger voters, who see a lack of inspiring leadership and bold vision from the current Democratic bench.

Youth Support for Democrats Is Slipping in Key Age Groups

The Yale poll also revealed an interesting age split within the youth vote.

Voters aged 22 to 29 still leaned slightly Democratic, with a +6.4 net favorability.

But younger voters, aged 18 to 21, leaned in the opposite direction, giving Republicans an +11.7 edge on the generic ballot.

That shift is significant. It suggests that the Democratic Party’s long-standing dominance among young voters could be slipping if they don’t present compelling candidates with strong, clear values.

JD Vance Emerges as GOP Favorite for Under-30 Voters

On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance is gaining serious momentum.

If the 2028 GOP primary were held today, half of Republican voters under 30 would throw their support behind him.

That’s a strong early signal of his appeal among younger conservatives.

With the Democrats scrambling to solidify their message and leadership lineup, Vance’s rise only adds more pressure to get things in order before campaign season truly kicks off.

A Deepening Divide and a Party at a Crossroads

The Yale Youth Poll, conducted online in early April, surveyed 4,100 registered voters total, with 2,025 of them under age 30.

The margin of error was low, meaning the data paints a fairly accurate picture of where things stand.

And right now, the Democratic Party is facing a youth problem—and John Fetterman’s plummeting favorability is the clearest red flag yet.

As 2028 approaches, it’s not just about who can win votes—it’s about who can rebuild trust with a generation that feels increasingly unheard.