Environmental groups launch anti-pollution campaign targeting Mastriano, gov race

Pennsylvania environmental advocacy groups are targeting Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano in a new anti-pollution ad campaign. 

With a little more than two months to go until the November general election, the political wings of two environmental advocacy groups – Conservation Voters of PA Victory Fund and the NRDC (Natural Resource Defense Council) Action Votes –  have teamed up to call out Mastriano’s voting record on pollution and encourage voters to support Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro. 

“Josh Shapiro has stood up for cleaner air and a safer climate while Doug Mastriano has chosen the interests of polluters over children’s health,” Jocelyn Steinberg, director of NRDC Action Votes, said. “We want to make sure voters know where they stand on this crucial issue.”

The 30-second ad features a nurse describing the harmful effects of air pollution such as sulfur dioxide and methane, as well as Mastriano’s opposition to attempts to curb pollution in Pennsylvania. 

“Doug Mastriano has one of the worst records on clean air as any politician in Harrisburg,” the ad claims. 

The $500,000 campaign will air in southeastern Pennsylvania and some of the Lehigh Valley area, Molly Parzen of Conservation Voters of PA Victory Fund said.

“Pennsylvanians strongly support clean air and clean energy – and we must elect candidates who stand with people, not with polluters,” Parzen said in a statement. “Doug Mastriano cares more about the profits of the oil and gas industry than he does for the people of Pennsylvania. We hope to show voters that a vote for Doug Mastriano means a vote for a less healthy environment.”