Pa Dem Senate nominee Lt Gov Fetterman took Jersey Shore trip while pushing COVID lockdowns, report

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman – also the state's 2022 Democratic nominee for Senate seat – took a taxpayer-funded security detail on a 2020 family vacation to the Jersey Shore while publicly advocating strict coronavirus lockdowns, according to a recent new report.

Pennsylvania State Police spent $3,500 for overtime, food and lodging during Fetterman’s trip to Ocean City, N.J., from June 24-27, 2020, according to records obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. 

Fetterman made the trip amid a surge of cases in Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey, the news outlet also reports.

At the same time, the Pennsylvania Department of Health warned against nonessential travel, and New Jersey’s governor vowed to crack down on Shore revelers because of a spike in cases in the region two days before the Fettermans arrived.

Fetterman had during the earlier stages of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pushed for lockdowns, mask wearing and other measures to prevent the virus spread. 

He also said in March 2020 that he and his family would "stay at home, minimizing social interactions and trips to indoor public places,” according to a Facebook post reviewed by the Free Beacon. 

A Fetterman Senate campaign spokesman acknowledged the vacation but said that Alleghany County, in which the Fetterman resides was not in lockdown at the time of the trip.

The spokesman also said Fetterman, who is now off the campaign trail recovering from a stroke, has never claimed reimbursement for travel expenses.