Ahead of the May 19 primary, President Trump may have cleared the path — at least on the Republican side — for state Treasurer Stacy Garrity by appointing state Sen. Doug Mastriano as ambassador to the Slovak Republic.
Although Garrity, who’s running for governor against incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, received the Pennsylvania party’s endorsement early on, some grassroots GOPers grumbled that there were not enough candidates in the primary to allow them to have their say. And others, die-hard Mastriano fans, planned to write in their favorite candidate’s name.
However, Republican political consultant Charlie Gerow doesn’t think the appointment will change much.
“It’s certainly a high honor to be nominated to serve the nation as an ambassador. But, as Sen. Mastriano has said, until he is confirmed, he’s sitting tight,” said Gerow. “It’s doubtful this will have any impact on the gubernatorial race. His supporters will likely still write in his name. But we all know that write-in efforts are very difficult.”
On X, Mastriano said he is “deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s nomination to serve as United States Ambassador to the Slovak Republic.” He also noted that “in the meantime, I remain fully committed to serving the people of Pennsylvania’s 33rd Senatorial District and will continue fulfilling my responsibilities while the Senate considers my nomination.”
Four years ago, Mastriano prevailed in a very crowded Republican gubernatorial primary race and faced off against Shapiro, who won by nearly fifteen percentage points.
* * *
This week, lifelong Democrat and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party because of antisemitism. Wecht, who is Jewish, is no longer comfortable being affiliated with the Democrats and announced he is an independent now.
In a statement, Wecht said, “From 1998 to 2001, years that preceded my judicial career, I served as vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. In the quarter-century that has passed since then, the Democratic Party has changed. Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled. Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders, and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party.”
T.J. Rooney, a Democratic consultant, told Broad + Liberty, “I’ve known Justice David Wecht for more than 25 years and had the honor of succeeding him as vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Justice Wecht is a man of tremendous principle, intellect, and independence. For him to follow his conscience should come as a surprise to no one.
“He has given far more to the Democratic Party than he has ever taken from it. While he has changed his political registration, he has not changed the unwavering core beliefs, integrity, and seriousness he brings to the bench and to public service every day.
“Justice Wecht has always approached his work independently and thoughtfully, guided by principle rather than politics — that will continue.
“I also believe our party should take seriously the sentiments expressed by Justice Wecht that led him to act in this fashion,” said Rooney. “Dismissing or minimizing those concerns would be a mistake. Thoughtful people acting in good faith deserve to be heard, especially someone who has devoted so much of his life to the party and to public service.”
Rooney also served as a state representative and chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
