Former Trump-Endorsed Candidate Makes Stunning Decision That Could Alter Pennsylvania's Political Landscape

By Vickie Ferguson | Sunday, 28 May 2023 10:25 AM
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Former Trump-Endorsed Candidate Makes Stunning Decision That Could Alter Pennsylvania's Political Landscape

The Washington Times reports Thursday night, Republican Doug Mastriano pulled his hat from the race for Senate, leaving the GOP with a wide open field and scrambling to find a strong candidate to traverse the battleground against Democratic Sen.

Bob Casey and capture the coveted 2024 Senate majority position.

Mastriano, endorsed by former President Trump in the governor's race last year, lost the race by a wide margin. In a livestream appearance with his wife, Mastriano stated he is not going to run for Senate "at this moment the way things currently are."

Some Republicans were concerned about the prospect of Mastriano winning. He blamed the party for his loss in the November election by 15 points for governor.

According to The Washington Times, many Republican officials cite Mastriano's weak political skills, inability to get financial supporters, and extreme positions on several issues would guarantee a victory for Bob Casey.

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. The favorite of party leaders is former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, who has already received pledges of financial support if and when he decides to throw his hat in the ring and run for office.

One GOP official described Mastriano's decision to not run gave the Republican Party officials a chance to "pop Champagne" for one night and breathe a sigh of relief. Last year, the seven-way primary for Pennsylvania's Senate seat was costly at an estimated $85 million. The primary also launched TV attack ads for months which took a toll on nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz.

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At the end of the primary contest, a three-week recount had McCormick less than 1,000 votes behind Oz.

With Mastriano backing out, the GOP hopes there won't be an expensive repeat performance like that of 2022. The result in 2022 was a challenging general election and GOP losses in the races for the Senate and governor.

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With the breathing space, chair of the Allegheny County GOP Sam DeMarco said, "It gives us as a party the chance to coalesce behind a candidate." "Hopefully, that would be Dave McCormick."

DeMarco added that the eventual GOP nominee could "define yourself on your own terms instead of entering a general campaign with attacks against you and your character playing across the television screens in Pennsylvania statewide."

With Mastriano out, a Republican victory may depend on McCormick.

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