State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Adams) officially announced that he will not seek the Republican nomination for Governor in 2026, ending months of speculation about a potential rematch against incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro.
Taking to Facebook LIVE with his wife Rebbie by his side, Mastriano said, “We prayed a lot. We discussed it a lot. But we believe with full peace in our hearts that God has not called us to run for Governor in this season. That decision does not mean we are stepping away. This movement is alive, this mission is urgent, and the work ahead is critical.”
Mastriano did not rule out running in the future but said now is not the time. Mastriano said he would instead focus on his duties in the State Senate and work toward expanding the Republican majority in Harrisburg.
The decision marks a significant shift in the 2026 landscape, as Mastriano—the party’s 2022 nominee—had been teasing a run for nearly a year, even sharing potential campaign logos on social media as recently as late 2025.
The Senator’s decision appears to clear the lane for State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who has already declared her candidacy. Mastriano had previously hinted at a “Mastriano-Garrity” ticket, and his withdrawal effectively consolidates the “MAGA” wing of the party behind her.
Mastriano’s 2022 bid was defined by his hardline stances on election integrity and his rejection of mail-in voting—a strategy he later admitted was a mistake. In recent months, he had urged Republicans to “embrace the new reality” of mail-in ballots to compete with the Democratic machine.
