Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro turned up in Pittsburgh on Sunday with a cadre of other Democratic candidates to urge their supporters to vote against his "extremist" Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano, in November.
Speaking briefly in front of about 50 people in a get-out-the-vote rally at the entrance to Highland Park, Mr. Shapiro and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said this year’s election is about combating extremism and defending eroding civil rights, such as the right to abortion.
To illustrate the Mastriano mindset, Mr. Shapiro pointed to Mr. Mastriano's choice in 2017 to wear a Confederate uniform for a faculty photo taken at the Army War College in Carlisle. He was the only person in the photo who wore a Confederate uniform.
"And this is the guy who represents Gettysburg," Mr. Shapiro said, referring to Mr. Mastriano's territory as a state senator. "This just goes to show us who he is. He wants to divide us."
Gettysburg is the site of the Civil War's most famous battle, a Union victory won at great cost.
Mr. Gainey said Mr. Mastriano wants to take away citizens' rights and freedoms and praised Mr. Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s attorney general, as the man to keep that from happening.
"We've got to send Josh Shapiro to the governor's mansion," he said.
He said Mr. Mastriano is a candidate who "won't talk to the media, won't talk to anyone except his extremist friends."
Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Gainey were joined by several other Democratic politicians, including Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio, who are both running for Congress.
The event was billed as "Protecting our Freedom Day of Action" and organized by 1Hood Power, Bend the Arc, Jewish Action Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania United, all neighborhood groups urging residents to register to vote and go to the polls in November to support Democrats.
In addition to drumming up support for Mr. Shapiro and the congressional candidates, the activists encouraged Pittsburghers to vote for Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in his Senate race over Republican Mehmet Oz in one of the most closely watched races in the U.S.
First Published: September 18, 2022, 4:50 p.m.
