Republican Mastriano to Face Democrat Shapiro for Pennsylvania Governor; Senate Race Too Close to Call

Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday gave State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Gettysburg) the nod to face state Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) in the race for governor this year.

The Democratic Party also nominated Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) for the Senate seat from which Republican Pat Toomey will retire at the end of 2022. At this writing, the GOP primary contest for that seat remains too close to call between top-tier candidates David McCormick and Mehmet Oz. 

Republican Carrie DelRosso and Democrat Austin Davis meanwhile clinched nominations for lieutenant governor. 

All three primary races were contested between GOP candidates, whereas Shapiro ran unopposed and Fetterman long enjoyed substantial polling leads against U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA-17) and long-shot State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia). 

Although the two parties’ state committees usually endorse hopefuls for these offices, Republicans decided against doing so in any of the three this year. Among Democrats’ contested races, their state party only endorsed Davis against State Representative Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia). 

Many Republican elected officials and county committees nonetheless weighed in on behalf of gubernatorial candidates, generally splitting between Mastriano’s three most popular rivals: former congressman and former Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, former Delaware County Councilman Dave White, and former federal prosecutor Bill McSwain. 

While Mastriano couldn’t boast a similar support base among Keystone State power brokers, he did tout his steadfast alignment with — and eventual endorsement from — former President Donald Trump. … (Excerpt from the Pennsylvania Daily Star)