HARRISBURG — Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania’s Republican primary for governor, siding with a far-right candidate who was outside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection and has worked with determination to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Mastriano was already leading a crowded field of contenders, and the former president’s endorsement puts him on even stronger footing heading into Tuesday’s primary.
But there are growing fears from party leaders that Mastriano, a state senator and retired U.S. Army colonel, is too extreme to beat Democrat Josh Shapiro in November’s general election and could drag down other Republicans competing in the pivotal state. That includes a U.S. Senate contest in which Trump is trying to lift his endorsed candidate to victory in a highly competitive race.
Mastriano has, for example, helped spread unsubstantiated claims from Trump and his allies that Democrats fraudulently stole the election for Joe Biden — something that Trump seized on in his endorsement statement.
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“There is no one in Pennsylvania who has done more, or fought harder, for Election Integrity than State Senator Doug Mastriano,” Trump wrote. “He has revealed the Deceit, Corruption, and outright Theft of the 2020 Presidential Election, and will do something about it.”
Trump called Mastriano “a fighter like few others, and has been with me right from the beginning, and now I have an obligation to be with him.”
Besides campaigning with key figures in Trump’s circle who have spread lies about the last election, Mastriano also floated a plan to let state lawmakers wipe out that election result and make their own decision on which candidate should receive the state’s electoral votes.
As a result he was subpoenaed by the U.S. House committee investigating the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Mastriano has said he would take the extraordinary step of requiring voters to “re-register” to vote. “We’re going to start all over again,” he said during a debate last month.
Such a move is barred by the National Voter Registration Act and likely runs into significant protections under the federal — and possibly state — constitution and laws, constitutional law scholars say.
After the election, Mastriano boasted to supporters in online chats about his frequent talks with Trump. Mastriano organized bus trips to the U.S. Capitol for Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally just before the riot, where Mastriano was seen in footage with his wife passing through breached barricades set up by police.
Trump was torn on the endorsement decision in the governor’s race.
Some allies desperately urged him to stay out of the race or to endorse a Mastriano rival, such as Lou Barletta, a former congressman who was the party’s Trump-endorsed nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018.
Mastriano is leading the nine-person field of Republican candidates, with party officials and conservatives believing that votes for more electable establishment candidates are too splintered to head off his consolidation of far-right voters.
On Friday, Mastriano told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon’s online “War Room” broadcast that the Republican establishment “is panicking, I mean, literally wetting themselves” at the prospect that he will be the nominee.
In a statement Saturday, Mastriano said he was “honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement and he cited Pennsylvanians “who want their individual liberties restored, power returned to the people, and for their elected leaders to fulfill the America First — and Pennsylvania First — agenda.”
“Our grassroots supporters across Pennsylvania know that Donald Trump and I will always have their backs,” Mastriano wrote. “We are all committed to ending the era of party bosses, dark money interest groups, and flawed elections.”
Barletta has spent the past few days accumulating establishment endorsements, including from members of Congress. He has avoided criticizing Mastriano by name, other than trying to make the case that he is the most electable candidate in the primary.
On Saturday, he maintained that he could still beat Mastriano.
“I will continue making the case to the people that I am the only candidate who can unite the party and bring victory in November. I look forward to having President Trump’s endorsement Wednesday morning,” Barletta wrote.
Trump’s top focus in Pennsylvania has been the Senate primary, where his endorsed candidate, celebrity heart surgeon Mehmet Oz, is seen as vulnerable.
In many cases, rank-and-file Republican voters, conservative activists and pro-Trump hard-liners have refused to back Oz just because Trump does.
Some allies had tried to convince the former president that backing Mastriano would hurt Oz because Mastriano has closely aligned and campaigned with one of Oz’s rivals, Kathy Barnette.
But as Trump worries about Oz’s chances, endorsing Mastriano is seen as a means to protect his ego, providing a likely win if Oz ends up losing.
Republicans worry in particular that Mastriano is too toxic to win moderate voters in the heavily populated suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in November. Critics fear he will endanger down-ballot GOP candidates with a lackluster top-of-the-ticket turnout.
Still, Barletta has acknowledged there is very little in policy difference between himself and Mastriano.
Republicans have been shut out of the governor’s office in Pennsylvania since 2014 under Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who is barred by term limits from running again.
Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry will have another challenger for his seat in this year’s election for the 10th Congressional District.
After defeating former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale — who opted not to run this year for the seat — Perry is likely going to have to defend his seat against one of two balloted Democrats who have experience on local government boards. Perry is the only Republican on the ballot in the May 17 primary.
The 10th Congressional District covers Cumberland County, Dauphin County and northern York County.
Here are the two Democratic candidates for the 10th Congressional District:
Rick Coplen
Political Party: Democratic
Residence: Dickinson Township
Education: Bachelor’s degree from U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1981); master’s of public administration from Princeton University (1992); doctorate course work in American politics at Georgetown University (2001-03).
Occupation: Teacher, small business co-owner, CASD school board member
Endorsements: Carlisle Area Democratic Committee; former Cumberland County Commissioner Jim Hertzler; Alan Vandersloot of West York Borough Council; Carlisle Area School District Board Member Linda Manning
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
Parents are worried about our children’s future!
We hope to help our children achieve their unique American dream, but face challenges, including stagnant wages; rising prices for essentials like groceries, gas, child care and health care; COVID-induced learning losses; mental health challenges; potential addictions; unsafe streets; threats to our clean air, water and sustainable environment; ineffective legislatures in D.C. and Harrisburg; and others.
Government acting alone cannot solve these complex problems.
However, elected officials at every level who practice genuine facilitative leadership can enable collaboration with partners from businesses, nonprofits, academia, faith communities and others to help solve them. Please see www.rickcoplenforcongress.com and www.facebook.com/RickForPA10 for more details.
The cornerstone of our commUNITY-led solutions for these challenges should be investment in our people-building capacities and our economy, including critical infrastructure. Working collaboratively with commUNITY stakeholders, we can carefully invest time, effort, energy and precious personal and public financial resources to support our children’s education, job training, health care, and a sustainable environment.
JFK wisely said, “We all cherish our children’s future,” and challenged us to participate fully in our democracy.
I believe that “our children’s future” should be the goal that unites us today.
United, we can all do better!
Shamaine Daniels
Political Party: Democratic
Education: Bachelor’s in political science and sociology from West Chester University; master’s in women’s studies and juris doctor from the University of Cincinnati and its College of Law
Endorsements: AFL-CIO; Central Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
The district has suffered from a lack of leadership from our congressional representative for almost a decade. This means that our infrastructure, issues that affect women and families and our broken immigration system have gone neglected for a very long time and they urgently need our attention. Because of my professional experience, I believe I can have the greatest impact on repairing our broken immigration system: From making sure we have the staff to actually do our immigration work, to ensuring that our immigration programs make sense for our communities; there are many areas of improvement that would benefit our district.
With the redistricting of the Pennsylvania Senatorial districts, a local district opened up without an incumbent.
Current Republican state Sen. Mike Regan, who lives in York County, will stay in the 31st Senatorial District, which now includes fewer portions of Cumberland County: Lower Allen Township, Upper Allen Township, Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland and Shiremanstown.
The new 34th Senatorial District covers the rest of the county from East Pennsboro Township to Shippensburg, as well as all of Perry County and parts of northern Dauphin County.
With no current incumbent’s home address falling in this coverage area, some newcomers are looking to take the seat.
East Pennsboro Township resident James Massey Jr. is the only Democrat on his party’s ballot. Here are the two Republican candidates vying for their party’s nomination:
Mike Gossert
Political Party: Republican
Residence: Hampden Township
Education: Bachelor’s in public policy from Pennsylvania State University; master’s in public administration from Shippensburg University
Occupation: Township manager; small business owner
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
We hear our politicians make promises to get elected and then they don’t deliver on their promises. I have a record of public service and accomplishments, but I am not a career politician.
Understanding a state mandate and its financial impact on local taxpayers starts with the legislature. For example, Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) costs school districts hundreds of millions of dollars paid for by local taxes. When this act was passed, it was promised with funding. Unfortunately, the state continues to ignore funding this mandate in the manner it was supposed to, thus costing school districts and taxpayers millions annually while also having to balance an annual budget. I will work to fill these funding gaps by finding ineffective state-funded programs that aren’t meeting their desired objectives and reallocate those dollars to remove the burden from local taxpayers.
My record of public service as a U.S. Marine and volunteer firefighter and EMT to township manager and Cumberland Valley school board director; and leadership on the boards of state education organizations speaks for itself. I am the only candidate with a track record of accomplishments combined with effective servant leadership in our community.
Greg Rothman
Political Party: Republican
Residence: Silver Spring Township
Education: Cumberland Valley High School; bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts/Amherst; master’s in real estate from Johns Hopkins University
Occupation: U.S Marine Corps veteran; real estate broker and appraiser; legislator
Endorsements: Cumberland County Republican Committee; Cumberland County Sheriff Jody Smith; Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormick; Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; Dauphin County Republican Committee
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
The most important issue in the 34th Senate District is the recovery of our economy and educational system after the COVID pandemic The region needs to welcome job-creators and support the small businesses who have suffered during the last two years from government overreach. We need to ensure our children have the resources to receive the highest quality education, and parents should have a greater role. This includes curriculum transparency.
Thousands of regulations were suspended during the pandemic, and they should be reviewed and permanently ended if they only serve to hinder innovation and prevent businesses and health care operations from providing high quality customer/patient service.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should return to its roots of a place where its citizens are free to live their lives as they see fit and pursue happiness and prosperity.
With Republican Rep. Greg Rothman seeking the 34th Senatorial District seat, his legislative seat became open for area residents.
After legislative redistricting this year in Pennsylvania, the 87th Legislative District includes all of Silver Spring Township, Monroe Township, Upper Allen Township and Mount Holly Springs, as well as most South Middleton precincts and precinct 2 of Lower Allen Township.
Democrat Kristal Markle of Upper Allen Township is the only candidate on her ballot. Here is a look at the two Republican candidates in the race:
Eric Clancy
Political Party: Republican
Residence: Upper Allen Township
Education: Bachelor’s in accounting from Messiah College
Occupation: Executive vice president/owner of Delta Development Group Inc.
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
I believe that many folks that had no interest in politics five or 10 years ago have experienced a sort of awakening. People have become tired of having their ways and family traditions denigrated, faith disrespected and aspirations not even heard. I have been thrilled to hear from many of these folks.
Conservative principles will be the foundation on which we measure accomplishment for Pennsylvania. We need to make sure government stays out of the way of real progress. We need to do everything we can to reduce the latent inefficiency of governmental operations. Schools that teach, communities that protect, infrastructure that works, and meticulous care of taxpayer resources should be foundational to very community and our Commonwealth.
Government offers policy, regulatory and enforcement “solutions” that are one size fits all. It is the role of elected officials to ensure that this is done efficiently, effectively and with the utmost respect to the taxpayers who are paying the bills. We must make sure government meets its obligations to citizens but does so in the most limited manner possible, and in a way that never intrudes on their rights.
Thomas Kutz
Political Party: Republican
Residence: Lower Allen Township
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Grove City College
Occupation: Policy director at Senate of Pennsylvania
Endorsements: Cumberland County Republican Committee; PA Realtors PAC; Recommended by Firearm Owners Against Crime
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
As a lifelong Cumberland County resident, Cedar Cliff High School graduate, local elected official and former congressional staff member, I truly care about that place we call home and the conservative Republican values we hold dear. I am running for state representative because our community needs a trusted conservative Republican leader who will take on tough issues and work tirelessly to protect the future of Cumberland County for generations to come. Our district continues to face the challenge of workforce shortages. I’ll work to bring our workforce back on track by encouraging technical schools and training programs while also cutting the Corporate Net Income Tax rate to help our local businesses.
That’s why my priorities include: reducing the tax burden for our hardworking families and seniors on fixed incomes, rebuilding our roads and bridges, supporting curriculum transparency and parents’ roles in education, fighting to make our schools and communities safer, supporting pro-growth policies to make Pennsylvania more competitive, defending our 2nd Amendment rights and protecting the sanctity of human life. I am honored to be the only candidate endorsed by the Cumberland County Republican Committee, and I would be honored to earn your vote on Tuesday, May 17.
A new legislative district incorporating parts of Harrisburg with the West Shore will have contested races on both party ballots on the May 17 primary.
The 103rd Legislative District encompasses East Pennsboro Township, Camp Hill, Lemoyne and Wormleysburg, as well as most parts of Harrisburg City.
Here are the candidates vying for the seat:
David Buell
Political Party: Republican
Residence: Camp Hill Borough
Education: Harvard Kennedy School of Government-Collaborative Government, Executive Education
Occupation: Business development with Four Arrows Financial Group in Mechanicsburg
Endorsements: Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack; Cumberland County Republican Committee; Capital City Lodge 12 Fraternal Order of Police; Cumberland County Sheriff Jody Smith
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
As a longtime resident, dedicated community volunteer, financial services professional and former local elected official, I have the proven experience and qualifications to make our West and East Shore communities better places to live, work, raise a family and operate a business.
Advocating for the rights of parents in curriculum and school choice will be one of my top priorities. I will also help continue the work that has been started in streamlining our state budget. Dealing with the wide range of services needed in this newly drawn district will be complex. My personal knowledge of both East and West Shores and my professional experience makes me uniquely qualified to succeed in servicing the 103rd House District.
Jennie Jenkins Dallas
Political Party: Republican
Education: Business administration at HACC and Elizabethtown College
Occupation: Business owner/publisher at La Voz Latina Central
Endorsements: Republican Committee of Dauphin County; Sen. Mike Regan; Jeff Haste (former chairman of Dauphin County commissioners); Rep. Sue Helm; Rep. Andrew Lewis
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”—Proverbs 22:6
The greatest threat to our district and our nation is the combination of grooming and indoctrination of anti-American views in the education system and low test scores, violence and lack of discipline. Studies show a direct correlation between crime and education. The better the education, the safer our communities and the stronger our workforce.
I support long-overdue school reform and fundamental parental choice. I plan on working directly with each school board to make sure all are funded adequately and structured academically according to their specific needs. Cumberland and Dauphin county families deserve to send their children to schools that fit their special needs and values — this includes charter schools, private schools and public schools. This is a free country, let the parents have their voice!
Patty Kim
Political Party: Democratic
Residence: City of Harrisburg
Education: Bachelor’s in communication from Boston College
Occupation: State representative
Endorsements: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey; Attorney General Josh Shapiro; AFL-CIO; Central PA Building Trades; and PA Realtors PAC
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
As I speak with local school board members, teachers and administrators, I have serious concerns. We have teachers that performed the unthinkable during the pandemic and many are tired and burnt out. We have students that are behind academically and emotionally. Meanwhile, our school districts are struggling to pay charter school reimbursements, rising special education costs and school building maintenance projects.
I support the governor’s budget proposal that would put $1.55 billion in basic education funding, including $300 million for a program that supports Pennsylvania’s 100 most underfunded schools and $200 million for special education.
Our commonwealth ranks 44th in the nation in the state’s share of funding for public schools. Pennsylvania pays only 38% of the costs for pubic education. Our school districts are forced to make up the difference by way of property taxes. We need to relieve that local burden by adequately funding our public schools.
Heather MacDonald
Political Party: Democratic
Residence: Camp Hill Borough
Education: Liberal arts degree from HACC
Endorsements: Sean Quinlan, Pennsylvania Democratic Party State Committee (Cumberland County); Sandy Wolfe, Pennsylvania Democratic Party State Committee (Cumberland County); Cole Goodman, Pennsylvania Democratic Party State Committee (Dauphin County); Dan Miller, treasurer of Harrisburg; Joy Daniels, local business owner
What do you think is the most important issue in your district, and what would you propose to address it?
The most important issue for the 103rd District is the tolling of the 83 bridge. We need a fearless leader who is going to say no to tolling of any kind. The capital region is the fastest growing portion of the state, and our infrastructure is already bursting at the seams. Nearly 70% of the trips across the bridge originate within 10 miles; it is simply not a good candidate for tolling. Instead, we should look towards federal funding to pay for the replacement, implement a severance tax, or utilize any of the dozen or so options for funding presented by PennDOT. Oftentimes many of our local issues are created by legislators who are comfortable rather than courageous. This is a new era, one defined by our courage, and we deserve a leader who is going to be as unsatisfied by the status quo as we are. The tolling of the 83 bridge is not only a policy failure, it is also a failure of imagination. Our quality of life is worthy of this fight, and it’s a fight I would never shy away from as the representative in the 103rd District.
Though new and open seats attracted a number of candidates to make the May 17 primary busy for voters on both party ballots, some local incumbents will only see a challenge to their seats in the fall.
In the Carlisle area, Rep. Barb Gleim, R-199, will likely move ahead with no party challenger this primary, but a Democratic candidate is on the ballot and could contend with her in November should there be no other write-in candidates. Alan Howe of Carlisle is challenging Gleim for her seat. Howe previously ran campaigns for Congress and for president.
The 199th Legislative District includes Carlisle, West Pennsboro Township, Newville, Newburg, Middlesex Township, North Middleton Township, Hopewell Township, Lower and Upper Frankford townships, Lower and Upper Mifflin townships, North Newton Township and precincts 3, 4 and 5 in South Middleton Township.
On the West Shore, Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-88, is in the same boat, with no primary challenger but with a Democratic challenger on the horizon. Democrat and Mechanicsburg resident Sara Agerton is the only one on her party’s ballot May 17. She is a member of the Mechanicsburg Borough Council.
The 88th Legislative District includes Hampden Township, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland, Shiremanstown and all but the second precinct in Lower Allen Township.
Rep. Torren Ecker, R-193, may be the only local representative who will move to retain his seat with no competition in May or November. Ecker is the only one on either ballot this primary and could again be the only balloted candidate unless a write-in candidate emerges this primary.
With the recent redistricting of legislative districts, the 193rd Legislative District had a number of changes, mainly losing South Middleton Township to two other districts. This district now encompasses Dickinson Township, Cooke Township, Penn Township, South Newton Township, Shippensburg township and borough, and Southampton Township, as well as parts of Adams County, which is where Ecker lives.
NewsVu: Primary Preview 2022: Candidate guide to contested races
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