Mastriano wins Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial primary

Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who former President Donald Trump endorsed, is projected as the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary.

The race was called by the Associated Press. 

Mastriano, also a military veteran, defeated former Rep. Lou Barletta, the former mayor of Hazleton and other candidates.

"God is good," he said in his victory speech at his campaign headquarters in Chambersburg. "Our view for Pennsylvania is one of hope and freedom." 

Barletta, an early supporter of Trump's presidential campaign, was disappointed he didn't receive the former president's endorsement. 

"Where's the loyalty?" he asked. 

In February, Mastriano was subpoenaed by the House Select Committee on Jan. 6 over his attendance of the rally before the Capitol Hill riot took place, an issue that his critics have focused on during the course of the primary. 

Mastriano goes on to face the state's Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, in the general election. 

In his victory speech, Mastriano called for change in Pennsylvania, arguing there has been an assault on freedom under the administration of outgoing Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf.

"The Wolf Administration has done major damage to Pennsylvania," he said. "This governor’s draconian policies, enforced by the attorney general, have stolen our individual liberties, silenced our voices, stifled our economic growth, devastated our small businesses, destroyed our energy sector, and weakened our education system.

"Our next objective is to defeat Josh Shapiro so we can revive our economy, achieve energy independence, lower taxes, restore law and order, and reform our failing education system."