John Fetterman in 2018 PA Governor's race

On Energy & Oil: Fracking acceptable if it brings thousands of jobs

Fetterman made clear that his positions on the environment are outweighed by his desire to bring work to his town, a trade-off he said Democrats have to make to protect the working class. He defended supporting a fracking proposal in his own town for that reason.

"We're Democrats. We are supposed to look after working-class families," he said. "If the steel mill that wants to do this goes under, that's 3,000 jobs lost. All they need to do is drill two wells."

The position didn't stop Sanders from supporting him, however, chalking it up to a difference of opinion. And it's clear Fetterman has been pegged as the progressive politician who can get elected.

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour

Fetterman stands for many of the same policies. He wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 and pass gun reforms, and supports Medicare-for-all. And with all of it comes more of a voice for the "forgotten cities across Pennsylvania" message. He says he stands for "evidence-based public policies that benefit the most people possible."

On Principles & Values: Beat establishment incumbent as Bernie Sanders progressive

Fetterman, 48, is unmistakable: 6-foot-8, with a goatee and tattoos. And he dealt incumbent Democrat Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, an established name in Pennsylvania Democratic Party politics, a major upset. He also happens to have the backing of Bernie Sanders.

Fetterman drew 40% of the vote to clinch the nomination, emerging from a crowded field of four Democrats who were challenging Stack. The incumbent lieutenant governor has been mired in several scandals over excessive spending and mistreatment of staff.

Fetterman is now Wolf's running mate, and the two will face Republican state Sen. Scott Wagner and real estate executive Jeff Bartos in November. But as stylistically different as Fetterman is to his running mate, there's not a lot of daylight between the two on policy.