Letter to the editor: Why Mastriano is feared

As an older citizen, I have long been following Pennsylvania political news. Yet I recognized only two names of the nine Republicans, the majority from southeast Pennsylvania, listed as endorsing Josh Shapiro in the article “Democrat Josh Shapiro picks up Republican endorsements in race for governor” (July 6, TribLIVE).

Shapiro stated he earns the Republicans’ support because he favors lowering taxes (Who doesn’t?) and bringing down costs for families. What is Shapiro going to do? Reverse the Biden administration’s failed economic policies that created exorbitant prices for gasoline and food?

One of the Republicans calls Shapiro’s opponent for governor, Doug Mastriano, an “extremist” and a threat to the “rule of law.” I think Shapiro’s Democratic Party’s efforts to make abortion legal up to the day of birth is extreme. It is the Democratic administration that seems to ignore our immigration laws and allow millions of unvetted immigrants to stream across our southern border.

I feel that Shapiro and these Republicans, including two who endorsed Joe Biden for president, are simply part of the political establishment, and many members of this establishment label Mastriano an “extremist” because they fear he will not be a governor for the political establishment, but a governor for all Pennsylvania citizens.

Ken Kretschman

Crafton