In a statement released on social media on Nov. 13, Republican Pa. Sen. Doug Mastriano conceded defeat to Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the state’s gubernatorial race.
“Difficult to accept as the results are, there is no right course but to concede, which I do, and I look to the challenges ahead,” the statement says. “Josh Shapiro will be our next Governor, and I ask everyone to give him the opportunity to lead and pray that he leads well.”
Mastriano thanked his wife, his running mate, the Republican Party, and the 2.2 million Pennsylvanians who voted for him. “This was indeed ‘The People’s’ movement,” the statement said.
The statement also includes a critique of the current election system in the state. “As I write this, the final results of the 2022 Mid-term Elections are still not available,” Mastriano’s statement reads. “We can and must do better to make our elections more transparent, secure, and more quickly decided.”
During an election night party, Shapiro declared victory. “You met this moment,” Shapiro said. “We showed in this campaign that no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love or who you pray to, you are valued here in Pennsylvania and we hear you. Tonight, you, the good people of Pennsylvania, you won. Opportunity won. A woman’s right to choose won.”
