Trump nominates Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano as ambassador to Slovakia, pending Senate confirmation
State Sen. Doug Mastriano, a Republican from Franklin County and former GOP nominee for governor, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to Slovakia, a role that will require Senate confirmation.
Mastriano confirmed the nomination in a post on X, saying he will remain in the Pennsylvania Senate until the confirmation process is completed. He described the appointment as a personal honor and said he looks forward to representing the United States abroad, strengthening ties with Slovakia, and advancing U.S. interests if confirmed.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s nomination to serve as United States Ambassador to the Slovak Republic,” Mastriano wrote. “Upon Senate confirmation, I look forward to representing our nation abroad, strengthening the friendship between our two countries, and advancing the interests of the American people.”
Mastriano has been a prominent supporter of claims that the 2020 presidential election was improperly decided, backing efforts aligned with President Trump’s false assertions that the election was stolen. He also supported unsuccessful attempts to challenge Pennsylvania’s election results, participated in post-election hearings featuring Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and attended a January 6 rally in Washington, D.C. that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol. His campaign also helped transport supporters to the event.
He was later subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the January 6 attack and agreed to a voluntary interview. The FBI also questioned him regarding his post-2020 election activities. While video appeared to show him near police lines during the Capitol events, Mastriano has said he complied with law enforcement directions throughout the day and did not violate barriers.
He was never charged in connection with those events.
Mastriano was the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2022 but lost to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro by nearly 15 points. He had recently considered another gubernatorial run in 2026, but stepped aside after state Republican leaders and key party figures backed state Treasurer Stacy Garrity well ahead of the primary.
Despite that, some supporters continued a write-in campaign encouraging his candidacy, saying it was intended to signal opposition to the party’s early endorsement of Garrity. The group organizing the effort has claimed Mastriano’s backing, though neither his office nor the organizer has recently commented.
His nomination now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
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