In a move that has Republicans across Pennsylvania questioning him, President Trump’s on Saturday, made a last-minute endorsement of State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R) in the PA gubernatorial race. Statewide, Republican Party leaders are concerned that Mastriano will be a hard sell if he makes it past the Primary this Tuesday, May 17th to face Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, in the general election.
Further many Republicans across the state have continued lining up behind his opponent, former congressman, Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) whose track record in unseating Democrats in local and congressional races has been noteworthy. He has been neck and neck, with Mastriano since the start of the campaign.
Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) who has endorsed Barletta, indicated that the former Hazelton mayor is best positioned to beat Shapiro in a general election. Of Trumps endorsement of Mastriano, Marino said-
“I was extremely disappointed when Mr. Trump came out and endorsed Mr. Mastriano,” Marino said. “… Where in the hell is the loyalty? Lou and I were the first congressmen to come out and endorse Trump in his first election. We took a lot of heat about it.” And “I’m just very disappointed in our president … because apparently, the loyalty does not go as far as he says his loyalty does”.
- Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA)
The real question here is why Trump chose to circumvents the Republican Party establishment in PA to make this endorsement? Trump is a wise businessman, with a usually good handle on the true nature of a circumstance. What about Mastriano versus the others encouraged him to make this move? It’s all seems to be coming down to character versus compromise.
Trumps track record for picking winners is statistically very good at this point. Further he has been significantly vindicated on many fronts recently as having told the truth in many circumstances. From the Clintons and the Russia disinformation hoax, to mega media giant TikTok being owned by China, and the voter fraud in the 2020 election, Trump has called it right each time.
In his endorsement of Mastriano, Trump said-
“There is no one in Pennsylvania who has done more, or fought harder, for Election Integrity than State Senator Doug Mastriano,” and “He has revealed the Deceit, Corruption, and outright Theft of the 2020 Presidential Election, and will do something about it,” calling 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.”
-Former President Donald Trump
However, there are growing fears from party leaders that Mastriano, a state senator and retired U.S. Army colonel, is too right-winged to beat Democrat, Josh Shapiro in November’s general election. They further worry that his race could bring down other Republicans competing in this battleground state.
It would seem that Mastriano caught Trumps attention in the 2020 election by helping him to spread claims from Trump and his allies, that Democrats fraudulently stole the 2020 election for Joe Biden. Obviously, election integrity is one of those areas that the former president is very serious about.
Just this month, in support of Trump and Mastriano’s claims, the documentary of ballot harvesting done by Dinesh D’Souza “2000 Mules” has come out. It is a shocking demonstration captured, on surveillance video of how illegal voting did in fact take place.
Clearly a man of his word, a hard worker and a strong Trump - America First, Advocate, is why the former president believes that Mastriano is the man for the job. Loyalty to the truth, rather than the party line is likely why he has Trumps endorsement.
Trump appears to value a solid man of his word. Too many politicians say one thing for election purposes then do something else after being elected. Likely Mastriano will put his time, energy and money where his mouth is. His strong character and a willingness to stand for his conservative, no-nonsense beliefs are the sticking point that is definitely making the party mainstream nervous.
According to Steve Bannon’s online “War Room” broadcast Mastriano said that the Republican establishment“ is panicking, I mean, literally wetting themselves” at the possibility that he will win the primary.
Proud of the endorsement, at a campaign rally Saturday, he said -
“With 45 (referring to Trump) coming out with his endorsement, they’re done, they’re finished (referring to his opponents),” adding that he leads a “movement” (that the left) and “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only), are “terrified of.”
- Sen. Doug Mastriano (R)
The party concern is so serious that Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) is now calling on Republican candidates Dave White and Bill McSwain to drop out of the gubernatorial primary and endorse him. This week, Barletta won endorsements from former opponents Melissa Hart and Jake Coman, both of whom did just that. Quite obviously, Barletta is pulling out the stops to keep the part-line happy. Tuesday’s election should prove interesting.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Sam DeMarco responded to the news on social media-
“I am very disappointed with the president’s decision in picking Mastriano. It’s not exactly going out on a limb supporting someone in the lead three days before the election; it does guarantee him one win in this state on Tuesday,” (indicating his lack of confidence for November).
- Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Sam DeMarco
With recent polls showing that swing voters prefer a Republican for Governor, but are considering voting Democratic if Mastriano wins, it’s clear Republican is ok as long as you don’t have any really radical conservative ideas such as…follow the science that life begins at conception or integrity in voting is essential.
Needless to say, there is a lot of nay saying going around and for various speculative reasons. The bottom line is simple. Personal character in the struggle to restore freedoms lost is being pitted against political strategy & compromise (often a game the swamp plays).
Going forward it will be the party-line Republicans versus Mastriano who will be standing his ground, with Trump “with him”.
“Freedom lies in being bold.”
-Robert Frost