Matthew Mascara is part of a political dynasty | Local news
Matthew Mascara was introduced to politics early on, attending Democratic rallies to support his grandfather, who went from being a Washington County commissioner to a US congressman.
Grandson of Frank Mascara of Charleroi, who was at the origin of the Southpointe multipurpose park in the township of Cecil, Matthew Mascara has been campaigning since the age of 6.
“I was there all the time,” said Mascara, 22, of Rostraver Township. “It kind of started a fire in me that never went out.”
He is part of a political dynasty that has also seen his uncle, Mark Mascara, sit on the bench of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.
Mark Mascara was sworn in as a judge in January 2004 and died six years later of cancer at the age of 54. Frank Mascara entered his political career in 1973 when he was elected Comptroller of Washington County.
He then served as County Commissioner in 1980 until elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1994, from which he retired in 2003. He died in 2011.
Many people in power made fun of Frank Mascara when he was commissioner for defending Southpointe in what was once widely referred to as “Frank’s madness.” Over the years, time has proven its critics wrong after Southpointe became the crown jewel of Washington County.
Matthew Mascara unsuccessfully entered the political arena shortly before graduating this spring from St. Vincent College in Latrobe winning the Democratic nomination for Westmoreland County Treasurer. He drew 41% of the vote, losing to incumbent Jared Squires.
“I was in elementary school when I was writing my graduation thesis,” he said.
State Representative Pam Snyder, who was the Deputy District Director for Frank Mascara, said the young Mascara entered the race at Westmoreland knowing it would be difficult for him to win as a Democrat.
“Seeing him follow in his grandfather’s footsteps was heartwarming for me,” said Snyder of D-Waynesburg. “It’s in his DNA.”
Matthew Mascara said his loss in November would not prevent him from embarking on another campaign.
“I am weighing my decision here,” he said.
