Trump endorses Doug Mastriano for Pennsylvania governor


Former President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he was endorsing state Sen. Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial Republican primary, The Hill reports.
"There is no one in Pennsylvania who has done more, or fought harder, for Election Integrity than State Senator Doug Mastriano," Trump said in a statement. Washington Post columnist Greg Sargent argued Thursday that Mastriano went beyond trying "to help Trump overturn the [2020] election" by declaring "his support for the notion that the popular vote can be treated as non-binding when it comes to the certification of presidential electors."
Trump also praised Mastriano for his positions on immigration, abortion, criminal justice, and gun rights.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Polling conducted earlier this month had Mastriano leading his closest competitor — former Rep. Lou Barletta — by 10 points ahead of Tuesday's primary election. The winner of that contest will likely face Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) in November.
Just two days before Trump announced his low-risk, eleventh-hour endorsement of Mastriano, he released a statement defending Mehmet Oz (R) — his pick for Pennsylvania's open Senate seat — against surging challenger Kathy Barnette (R).
"Kathy Barnette will never be able to win the General Election against the Radical Left Democrats. She has many things in her past which have not been properly explained or vetted," Trump wrote. The former president still hedged his bet, however, writing that "if she is able to do so, she will have a wonderful future in the Republican Party — and I will be behind her all the way."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Ed Martin: The US attorney taking on Trump's enemies
In the Spotlight He advocated for Jan. 6 defendants. Now Martin leads D.C. prosecutions.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Hot to get older: extreme heat can make people age faster
Under the radar New research shows warming temperatures can affect biological age
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Codeword: March 13, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why is a new Air Force One taking so long to build?
The Explainer Trump may look for alternatives for his new plane
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump hawks Teslas, slashes more federal jobs
Speed Read The Education Department cut its workforce in half ahead of an expected Trump order to shutter the agency
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine agrees to ceasefire, ending US aid freeze
Speed Read Kyiv made peace with the Trump administration by agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in its war against Russian invaders
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Greenland's surprising election result
The Explainer Unexpected success for Demokraatit after a campaign overshadowed by Trump's threats
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Budget: Will the GOP cut entitlements?
Feature Republicans are pushing for a budget to cut Medicaid
By The Week US Published
-
U.S. tariffs spark North American trade war
Feature Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China lead to market turmoil and growing inflation concerns
By The Week US Published
-
The fallout of Trump's halt on military aid for Ukraine
Feature European leaders push for a cease-fire to mend U.S.-Ukraine ties
By The Week US Published
-
Media: A collective surrender to Trump?
Feature The Washington Post’s staff are instructed to focus its opinion pages on promoting 'personal liberties' and 'free markets'
By The Week US Published