Fitzpatrick Considers Leaving GOP for Independence
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania indicated that he might leave the Republican Party to become an independent if the state held its primary election. He pointed to Pennsylvania’s closed primary system as a significant factor in his hesitation.
During a recent discussion with Punchbowl News, when asked why he hadn’t made the move yet, Fitzpatrick responded, “Because I live in a closed primary state.” He was later prompted with a direct follow-up: “If you didn’t do it, would you do it?” to which he confidently replied, “100%…100%.”
Back in November 2025, Fitzpatrick criticized President Donald Trump’s choice to replace senior adviser Steve Witkoff with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Russia-Ukraine negotiations. This statement followed the leak of a transcript revealing a phone call between Russian officials and Witkoff. The situation raised questions regarding Fitzpatrick’s personal life, especially his relationship with Jackie Heinrich, with Fox News previously stating it had to avoid stories involving him. They defended their past coverage but didn’t confirm if she would be excluded from future reports.
Fitzpatrick’s inclination to distance himself from GOP leadership is evident in his legislative actions. In December 2025, he endorsed an expulsion petition from Democrats and a few other Republicans to push for a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. This maneuver aimed to allow the bill to bypass House leadership after unsuccessful floor negotiations. Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned struggles to find common ground with centrist lawmakers. Fitzpatrick argued that letting the subsidy lapse without any alternatives was worse than extending it without further reforms, suggesting that leadership had “forced this outcome.”
However, he also faces opposition from groups like the Immigration Reform Project and some Republicans regarding the Dignity Act, which they claim would expand amnesty and increase foreign worker presence. In contrast, Fitzpatrick previously supported the EAGLE Act backed by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which he claimed would foster greater competition for American workers and benefit larger corporations.
Additionally, he was one of three Republicans to back a bill aiming to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in federal civil rights law, likely affecting women’s sports and public accommodations.
Earlier that year, Fitzpatrick voted against a Democratic-supported gun control measure requiring universal background checks. The bill passed the House with the backing of eight Republicans, including him. This legislation would extend background checks to private transactions, though critics, like Rep. Bob Good from Virginia, warned it might lead to a de facto national gun registry.
In 2021, Fitzpatrick joined five other Republicans to introduce a resolution condemning President Trump for the January 6 events, asserting that his actions threatened democratic integrity. He downplayed the matter, stating, “We shouldn’t even be talking about it,” while insisting that his focus remained on policy issues, especially amidst discussions about potentially impeaching President Biden.
