Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s Views on Political Party Dynamics

A lawmaker from Pennsylvania recently expressed he might leave the Republican Party if the state were to adopt an open primary system. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a moderate representative known for diverging from party lines on several of President Donald Trump’s significant policies—including some notable votes against major legislative initiatives—is eyeing reelection in the competitive district he has represented for eight years.

In a conversation with Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer, Fitzpatrick shared his thoughts on partisanship, stating, “Joining a political party is ignorant,” and noted his strong disapproval of ideologues. He reflected on his experiences, mentioning that many individuals voiced frustration about having to navigate party loyalties, declaring, “It’s killing our country. It’s killing good policy, and we have to fix it.”

When asked why he wasn’t considering an independent run, Fitzpatrick explained that Pennsylvania’s closed primary elections pose a significant disadvantage for independents, as only registered party members can vote in primaries. He firmly stated he would “100 percent” leave the Republican Party if the primary system were open.

There’s also a concern about the implications of having half the voters being denied their voting rights in many elections if independents were to be registered. Fitzpatrick admitted feeling frustrated about the criticism directed toward Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), who has occasionally sided with Republicans on critical matters and has been vocal about disagreements within his own party regarding strategies, such as the government shutdown aimed at negotiating healthcare issues.

In Congress, Kevin Kiley of California stands out as the only self-identified independent in the House, having initially campaigned as a Republican. The Senate, meanwhile, hosts independents like Bernie Sanders and Angus King, both of whom associate with the Democratic caucus.