2014 Photo Of GOP Candidate Doug Mastriano Dressed As Confederate Soldier Surfaces

Far-right Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano was photographed in what appears to be a Confederate uniform in a 2013-2014 faculty photo at Army War College.

Sources familiar with the photo explained that faculty were given the choice of dressing up as historical figures. In the photo, Mastriano poses with other members of the Department of Military Strategy, Plans and Operations, but he is the only one costumed as a Confederate soldier.

Confederate soldiers fought to defend slavery and are linked with the mistreatment of black people and the legacy of hate in the South.

“The faculty photo did not get the team’s attention; the photo has since been removed because it does not meet AWC values,” Army War College told Reuters in response to the photo.

Current Pennsylvania Attorney Gen. Josh Shapiro, who is also Mastriano’s Democratic challenger, condemned Mastriano as “unfit for office.”

“Doug Mastriano wore the uniform of traitors who fought to defend slavery on official grounds of the U.S. Army War College,” he wrote on Twitter. “The College condemned him, saying this ‘does not reflect our values.’ It’s deeply offensive and proves who he is, once again. He’s unfit to be Governor.”

In recent years, the Department of Defense has taken steps to remove Confederate symbols, such as statues of Confederate heroes. Some support the removal of symbols dedicated to Confederates, while others say the removal is also getting rid of Southern history and heritage.

Mastriano is known for furthering former President Donald Trump‘s false claims of a stolen 2020 election and supporting the ban of abortion as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy.