Trump Nominates Prominent PA Elected Official For Ambassador Post

PENNSYLVANIA —The state's Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2022 has been nominated for an overseas ambassadorship.

President Donald Trump has nominated state Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County to be the ambassador the Slovak Republic.

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"l am deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s nomination to serve as United States Ambassador to the Slovak Republic," Mastriano said on social media.

"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.

"In the meantime, I remain fully committed to serving the people of Pennsylvania’s 33rd Senatorial District and will continue fulfilling my responsibilities while the Senate considers my nomination."

Mastriano centered his gubernatorial campaign four years ago on Trump's unproven claims that the 2020 election was "stolen."

It didn't work.

While Mastriano was able to win the GOP nomination, he lost in the general election to Democrat Josh Shapiro by nearly 15 percentage points.

Mastriano considered another run for governor this year but announced he would not seek the office after the Pennsylvania Republican Party endorsed state Treasurer Tracy Garrity for the GOP nomination.

Garrity is running unopposed on the Republican ticket in the May 19 primary.

Before his gubernatorial bid, Mastriano perhaps was best known for being among the elected officials who attended the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In addition to Mastriano's ambassadorship, Trump also has nominated former local TV personality Kari Lake for a diplomatic position. She will be the ambassador to Jamaica.

Lake, a failed gubernatorial candidate in Arizona, said in a social media post that she was looking forward to her new role in the Caribbean.

“Jamaica is a country I know very well, full of incredible people, and if confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our nations, advancing America’s interests abroad, and building on the deep friendship shared by the American and Jamaican people,” she stated.