Top Republican with 'army' of supporters makes major campaign announcement as Shapiro launches re-elect

By Fox News · Fox News

Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano is sitting out the 2026 elections, criticizing the state’s political climate in a sharply worded open letter. Mastriano, who represents Chambersburg, Gettysburg and McSherrystown in the legislature, rose to prominence by spearheading opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns engineered by then-Gov. Tom Wolf; where violations were often litigated by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Wolf’s cabinet, like then- Health Secretary Rachel Levine and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. The retired Army colonel and veteran of Desert Storm’s Battle of 73 Easting – the last contemporary tank battle -- confirmed to Fox News Digital late Wednesday that he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor despite vocal public support on the conservative right. This opens up the field to State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. FETTERMAN’S NEW BOOK DETAILS EXPLOSIVE FEUD WITH GOV JOSH SHAPIRO OVER PAROLE BOARD DISPUTE "God has not called us to run for governor in this season," he said. "Maybe 2028. Maybe 2030. But not now. That does not mean we are stepping away." In an accompanying "Open Letter to the People of Pennsylvania" shared with Fox News Digital, Mastriano took jabs at both Shapiro and intraparty critics and promised that his "Walk As Free People" movement started during the lockdowns is not going anywhere. "[Doug] and his wife Rebbie remain committed to leading and strengthening the grassroots conservative movement across the Commonwealth," Mastriano added in a statement to Fox News Digital. SHAPIRO KICKS OFF 2026 RE-ELECTION AS 2028 WHITE HOUSE BUZZ SWIRLS "This movement was never about one person or one campaign," Mastriano said in a statement issued from Gettysburg. "It has always been about faith, freedom, and the people of Pennsylvania." Since the lockdowns, Mastriano and other lawmakers have held rallies and protests around the state, from tiny Jerome, outside Johnstown, to the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg. Supporters, who ofte…