Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano is hitting pause on statewide ambitions, and he is not doing it quietly. In a sharply worded open letter, Mastriano announced he will skip the 2026 elections, blasting the toxic political climate in Harrisburg and making clear that while he is stepping away from the ballot, he is not stepping away from the fight.
Mastriano, who represents Chambersburg, Gettysburg, and McSherrystown, became a household name during the COVID years by leading resistance to lockdowns imposed under former Governor Tom Wolf. While much of the political class went along with sweeping restrictions, Mastriano stood out as one of the loudest voices pushing back against mandates enforced through litigation by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Wolf administration officials like Rachel Levine and Russell Redding.
The retired Army colonel and Desert Storm veteran confirmed he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, despite strong grassroots support. That decision clears the path for state Treasurer Stacy Garrity to emerge as a leading contender. Mastriano framed the move in personal and spiritual terms, saying, “God has not called us to run for governor in this season,” while leaving the door open for future runs.
In his open letter to Pennsylvanians, Mastriano doubled down on the “Walk As Free People” movement that grew out of lockdown protests. He stressed that the movement was never about one candidate or one election, but about faith, freedom, and citizen-led resistance to government overreach. Since the pandemic, Mastriano and his allies have organized rallies across the state, from small towns near Johnstown to the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg. Supporters wore “Mastriano’s Army” shirts, held outdoor gatherings in defiance of restrictions, and built a grassroots network that rattled both parties.
Mastriano also revisited the 2022 governor’s race, noting that despite his loss to Shapiro, Republican turnout hit its highest level since 1962. His campaign gathered tens of thousands of ballot signatures and nearly became the first GOP primary win in decades without party leadership intervention. He took direct aim at Republican insiders, criticizing what he called backroom deals and premature endorsements, and insisting future candidates must earn support from voters, not party bosses.
His harshest words were reserved for Shapiro, whose administration Mastriano labeled a corrupt political machine propped up by Hollywood elites and out-of-state billionaires. He also pointed out that former Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly distanced herself from Shapiro during running mate vetting before choosing Tim Walz.
Mastriano also blasted the media, accusing reporters of spending years trying to destroy the Walk As Free People movement while giving Shapiro a free pass. Whether one agrees with him or not, Mastriano’s message is clear. He may be sitting out 2026, but he is not surrendering the ground he helped take. In a state where grassroots conservatives feel ignored and mocked, that warning is not empty.
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