2022 Pennsylvania Governor Voters Guide
Doug Mastriano (R) vs Josh Shapiro (D)
The Candidates
Ban. Proposed a bill in the PA Senate banning abortion once “heartbeat” is detected (usually at six weeks), with no exception for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. “If the baby has a heartbeat, the abortion cannot be performed.”
No. Global warming is not real; it’s “fake science.” How can we “believe what [the weatherman] says for a hundred years from now?” Will take PA out of Regional Greenhouse Gas initiative on day one.
Yes. “We need to take real action to address climate change.” Has concerns about Governor Wolf’s carbon tax plan but wants to “chart a path towards a low carbon future” by investing in renewable energy and carbon capture.
Would place “an immediate ban on Critical Race Theory and Gender Theory studies.” “On day one, CRT is over.”
No position found.
Yes. “Administrative bloat has become commonplace” in PA public schools. Wants to expand scholarship programs so parents can choose public or private schools.
No. Voted against a charter school voucher program in the state house in 2011. As attorney general, filed a brief supporting a lawsuit demanding adequate public school funding.
No. The election in PA was “compromised.” Organized and funded buses to the DC January 6 rally and attended himself. Calls his subpoena from the US House January 6 Committee a “badge of honor.”
Loosen. Would cut statewide regulations in order to expand fracking and the coal industry.
Tighten. Criminally charged fracking companies for repeated pollution violations. Seeks “stronger laws to hold…companies accountable.”
Less. Cosponsored a bill to prevent PA officials from enforcing any new federal gun restrictions. “We saw Hitler do the same thing in Germany.” Also cosponsored a bill to allow concealed gun-carry without a license or permit.
More. Supports universal background checks, closing the ghost-gun loophole, and red-flag laws, which allow courts to remove guns from people deemed to pose a threat.
No. Would ban any government mask mandates, calling for restoring supporters’ “private personal freedom.” Sought the suspension of federal medical privacy rules for individuals in the face of the pandemic.
Yes. Defended the Affordable Care Act as a “vital safety net” in “the midst of a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic.” In 2021 asked the PA Supreme Court to keep the state’s school mask mandate in place.
Supports a border wall and sending PA National Guard to the Mexican border. Opposes sanctuary cities. “We’re going to put these DACA lawbreakers ahead of all these good people…trying to come here legally….They should not become citizens. They need to go back home.”
Supports DACA, for PA youth brought to the US illegally as children. “Dreamers are Americans.” Supports comprehensive immigration reform.
Harder. Would make PA a right-to-work state, where employees in a unionized workplace are allowed to not pay union dues, which can lessen the union’s resources.
Legal. Legalization will “bring billions of dollars to Pennsylvania.” “Expunge the records of those serving time for non-violent marijuana convictions.”
No position found on use of force. Supports increased police funding.
Supported a 2020 law that requires law enforcement agencies to consult a statewide police database with access to any misconduct and disciplinary records of officers that they’re seeking to hire.
No position found.
Likely yes. Co-led litigation in a lawsuit with 39 attorneys general that resulted in the cancellation of $1.7 billion in student loan balances at a major student loan servicer.
Less. Will attract “new employers to PA by reducing the Corporate Net Income Tax Rate.”
Mixed. Will lower corporate net income tax, while closing tax loopholes.
Yes. Will eliminate no-excuse mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes, and enact universal voter ID. Will delete PA voter rolls and make all voters re-register to vote.
No. Will “expand early voting and set up automatic voter registration.” Will “veto any efforts to restrict mail-in voting.” Is willing to discuss voter ID “in good faith.”
We have space to include only candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others including Matt Hackenburg (L) and Joe Soloski (K).
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