During State College visit, Doug Mastriano promises ‘new birth of freedom’ if elected PA governor
With just a week left before Pennsylvania voters elect a new governor, the Republican nominee campaigned in Centre County.
Doug Mastriano, a Pennsylvania state senator for the 33rd District, brought his “Restore Freedom” tour to C3 Sports in State College Tuesday night, and told his supporters gathered what they could expect under a Governor Mastriano: “a new birth of freedom.”
“On day one, we’re unmasking our kids forever in this state. On day one, there’ll be no jab requirements, as well. On day one, we’re going to be out of this regional greenhouse carbon tax, and we’re gonna drill and dig like we’ve never done before,” he said.
Hundreds attended Mastriano’s first Centre County campaign rally — one event volunteer said there were “about 500” people — and he was also joined by his wife, Rebbie, far right political activist Jack Posobiec and others.
Mastriano said his goal is to make Pennsylvania the number one energy producer and exporter in the nation, and that people will see an “economic renaissance” by exporting oil, coal and natural gas. This, he said, would bring more money and jobs to the state.
As part of his “day one” promises, he said “parental rights” will be reaffirmed and schools will be held accountable.
“Moms and dads, guardians, you have the last and final word in your education of your sons and daughters. Period,” Mastriano said. “I will be directing, on day one, that our Secretary of Education directs all of the schools to post all their curriculum online for full accountability and transparency.”
He said schools will focus on arithmetic, reading, writing and history, rather than picking pronouns and teaching Critical Race Theory.
Rebbie Mastriano said Republicans and conservatives are carrying the torch for women’s rights, which include the right to be born, to have a say in her child’s education, to have access to baby formula and affordable groceries, to raise a child in a safe community, to the first and second amendments, and to “compete in sports that are not dominated by men.”
Recent polls show that Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro holds a double-digit lead over Mastriano in the closely-watched gubernatorial race. On Tuesday, Mastriano continued his criticism of the Democratic nominee, saying crime has risen under his watch as attorney general, and that Shapiro is too dangerous and reckless for Pennsylvania.
Centre County Republican Chair Michelle Schellberg said she and the Centre County Republican committee trust and support Mastriano.
“It wasn’t long ago when Governor Wolf and the Democrats shut Pennsylvania down, closing schools, businesses, hospitals and even our churches. Well, we the people of Centre County are pissed off and ready to fight like hell for our freedom,” Schellberg said.
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, who pushed a “heartbeat bill” along with Mastriano, was also on hand to give her support.
Centre County resident Jody Reese spoke about Lions for Liberty, which “help employees and students of companies and universities form alliances that help them to be effective in opposing the ideas that oppose their liberty,” according to its website. He said when they held a rally last year to oppose Penn State’s employee vaccine mandate and such mandates in general, Mastriano showed up and helped, even though they weren’t part of his senate district.
“He clearly demonstrated wisdom and leadership. He was here to support our liberty when we needed a boost. So we need to be there now to support him, so he can keep doing his good work,” Reese said.
Mastriano did not take questions from the media after the nearly two-hour long event.
The election is Nov. 8. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democratic Pennsylvania Senate nominee, are set to visit Penn State’s University Park campus Wednesday.
This story was originally published November 1, 2022 at 10:42 PM.
