Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
State Sen. Doug Mastriano announced Wednesday that he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2026.
The announcement ended months of speculation about a potential rematch against Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Mastriano has posted on social media in recent months about possible campaign logos.
Mastriano, a U.S. Army veteran who lost to Shapiro by hundreds of thousands of votes in 2022, made the announcement during a livestream alongside his wife, Rebbie.
The couple sat in front of a television displaying his 2022 campaign slogan as they briefed supporters on the decision. The livestream started with highlights from past Mastriano political events.
“This is just not our time,” Mastriano said, adding that he and his wife reached the decision after a period of prayer and fasting.
“This does not mean we’re stepping away,” he said. “We’re staying in the movement.”
The withdrawal of the conservative lawmaker likely clears a path for Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity to secure the GOP nomination.
Garrity, also a U.S. Army veteran who was reelected to her seat in 2024, has already received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Republican Party.
Mastriano did not offer an endorsement to Garrity during his livestream.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The state senator expressed frustration with the state party enforcement of Garrity. He stated he would address the Republican primary “down the road.”
Throughout the stream, the Mastrianos celebrated their grassroots supporters while criticizing those who did not support the former Army colonel.
Rebbie Mastriano credited her husband’s 2022 primary victory to supporters having “each other’s backs.”
The couple also reflected on the start of their political movement, citing opposition to 2020 COVID-19 mitigation measures as a driving factor for supporters.
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During the broadcast, Rebbie Mastriano claimed that people had been cured of cancer during the state senator’s campaign rallies.
Mastriano, of Franklin County, said he now intends to focus on his work in the state Senate.
The news comes as Shapiro prepares for his own reelection campaign, which is expected to be announced Thursday.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
Shapiro’s campaign on Tuesday announced he had approximately $30 million in cash on hand.
While Shapiro focuses on the 2026 governor’s race, the Montgomery County politician continues to be mentioned as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.
