Kim L. Ward

11/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2024 09:30

Pennsylvania Voters Return Republican Majority to State Senate

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania voters returned a Republican majority to the state Senate in the recent General Election, re-electing all Republican incumbents and sending new Republican senators to Harrisburg.

"Pennsylvanians were energized and sent a clear message that they are done with far-left policies that step on their constitutional rights and make it hard for them to keep up with the high cost of food and utilities," said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39). "Pennsylvanians can count on us to focus on helping our families by growing the economy and jobs."

"This is an historic and exciting time for Pennsylvania and our entire nation," Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) said. "Voters have spoken loudly and clearly to send a strong team of Republicans to the state Senate. Across the Commonwealth we are witnessing a renewed embrace of policies and principles to strengthen families and forge a promising and prosperous future. For the first time in over two decades, we will welcome a new senator to our Caucus from Philadelphia, which serves as a significant means to further close the rural, urban, and suburban divide. Our Senate Republican Caucus will continue to be steadfast in our work to empower Pennsylvanians by standing against executive and judicial overreach, rejecting Democrats' massive tax increases, and ensuring the fundamental rights of our Commonwealth's citizens remain safely guarded."

Senate Republicans will hold a 28-22 majority in the 2025-26 legislative session.

Voters elected two new Republican senators. Sen.-elect Dawn Keefer was elected in the 31st Senate District covering parts of Cumberland and York counties. She currently represents the 92nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Sen.-elect Joe Picozzi was elected in the 5th Senate District representing a part of Philadelphia. He previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives and in public policy, where he focused on policies to revitalize cities.

The following Republican senators were re-elected:

  • Dave Argall (R-29), representing Carbon and Schuylkill counties and part of Luzerne County.
  • Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), representing Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties and part of Luzerne County.
  • Cris Dush (R-25), representing Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean and Potter counties and parts of Jefferson and Centre counties.
  • Scott Hutchinson (R-21), representing Clarion, Forest, Venango and Warren counties and parts of Butler and Erie counties.
  • Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), representing Cambria and Clearfield counties and part of Centre County.
  • Dan Laughlin (R-49), representing parts of Erie County.
  • Scott Martin (R-13), representing parts of Berks and Lancaster counties.
  • Doug Mastriano (R-33), representing Adams and Franklin counties.
  • Joe Pittman (R-41), representing Armstrong and Indiana counties and parts of Jefferson and Westmoreland counties.
  • Devlin Robinson (R-37), representing parts of Allegheny County.
  • Elder Vogel (R-47), representing parts of Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties.
  • Kim Ward (R-39), representing parts of Westmoreland County.
  • Gene Yaw (R-23), representing Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.

Newly and re-elected senators will be sworn into office to begin their four-year terms on Jan. 7, 2025.

CONTACT
Erica Clayton Wright (Senator Ward)
Kate Eckhart Flessner (Senator Pittman)