Keystone Today

Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Doug Mastriano commended the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade, then said to not let "the hysterics of the left" distract from issues such as inflation.

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday in a 5-4 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, giving states the ability to determine the legality of abortion, CNBC reported.

"The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," Justice Samuel Alito said in the decision. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

Mastriano in a statement applauded the Supreme Court's decision and called for Pennsylvanians to remain vigilant to other crucial current issues such as the economy.

"Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history," Mastriano said in the statement. "As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless. While this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a triumph for innocent life, it must not take our focus away from the key issues facing Pennsylvania families. Pennsylvanians will not be distracted by the hysterics of the left as they exploit this ruling to try to fulfill their far-left agenda. As they struggle with all-time record-high inflation, the people care deeply about the price of gas and groceries, as well as out-of-control crime and good-paying jobs — which is exactly why I will prioritize these issues as their governor."

A Gallup Poll conducted in May 2021 found that 48% percent of survey respondents said they believe abortion should only be legal under certain circumstances, but only 19% of respondents said abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. Thirty-two percent of respondents said abortion should be legal in all cases.

Mastriano beat out eight other candidates to win the Republican nomination for governor in May, The Associated Press reported. He will face off against Democrat nominee Josh Shapiro in the general election.

Mastriano is a retired Army colonel who currently serves as the senator for Pennsylvania's 33rd District, Mastriano said on his site. Mastriano holds master's degrees in airpower, military operations, strategy and strategic intelligence, as well as a doctorate in history. He has been featured on multiple national radio programs, as well as on Tucker Carlson's show, C-Span and Fox Business with Stuart Varney.