House Republicans
Speaker of the House Elect: Rep. Mike Turzai (R, HD-28) – Allegheny
Representative Mike Turzai was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2001. Previously, Rep. Turzai has twice been elected to serve as Majority Leader for the House Republican Caucus. While in office he has promoted fiscal responsibility, private sector job creation, and privatizing the state-owned liquor operations in the state.
Majority Leader: Rep. Dave Reed (R, HD-62) –Indiana
Representative Dave Reed was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2002. During his tenure in office, Representative Reed has been focused on creating jobs and reducing welfare fraud in the Commonwealth. He is an advocate of limited government intervention and fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Majority Whip: Rep. Bryan Cutler (R, HD-100) – Lancaster
Representative Bryan Cutler was first sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006. Cutler was a graduate of Widener Law School and worked as an X-ray technologist while attending school. He has been a supporter of accessible and affordable health care. In addition, Representative Cutler has actively battled against welfare fraud and abuses of government programs.
Majority Appropriations Chair: Rep. William Adolph (R, HD-165) – Delaware
Representative William Adolph was first sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1988. Prior to his election, Rep. Adolph worked as a public account and small business owner, operating his own accounting firm. He is also the former President of the Springfield Township board of commissioners. Currently, Rep. Adolph is the chairman of the board of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). His legislative priorities include the environment, education, economic development, and job creation issues.
Majority Caucus Chairman: Rep. Sandra Major (R, HD-111) – Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming
Representative Sandra Major was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1994. Rep. Major is a graduate of Keystone Junior College and she also attended the University of Scranton. Prior to her election, she served as the Treasurer of Susquehanna County and was a staff member for former Rep. Carmel Sirianni. While in office Rep. Major concentrates her time on issues such as reducing taxes and state spending, as well as creating more job opportunities in the Commonwealth.
Majority Caucus Secretary: Rep. Donna Oberlander (R, HD-63) –Armstrong, Clarion
Representative Donna Oberlander was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2008. She is currently serving as a House Republican Deputy Whip and the Republican chair of the Pennsylvania House Gas and Oil Caucus. Representative Oberlander has earned two consecutive “Guardian of Small Business” awards from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the NFIB. She acknowledges that one of her chief accomplishments while serving in the legislature was repealing the provision in the Uniform Construction Code that required sprinkler systems to be installed in all newly constructed residential houses.
Majority Caucus Administrator: Rep. Brian Ellis (R, HD-11) – Butler
Representative Brian Ellis was first sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004. Ellis has identified his top legislative priority is to continue the economic growth of the Commonwealth. Before serving in the legislature, Ellis worked with his family to build Ellis Auto Group, a network of auto dealerships in western Pennsylvania.
Majority Caucus Policy Chair: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R, HD-171) – Centre, Mifflin
Representative Kerry Benninghoff was first sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1996. Rep. Benninghoff is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and the Certified Coroners Training Program. He previously worked as the Centre County coroner before being elected to the legislature. Rep. Benninghoff is an advocate for government reform, spending controls, and expanding access to high quality health care services.
House Democrats
Minority Leader: Rep. Frank Dermody (D, HD-33) – Allegheny
Representative Frank Dermody was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1990. Rep. Dermody earned a history degree from Columbia and received his law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington. He worked as an assistant public defendant in Harrisburg and then as assistant district attorney in Allegheny County. While in office, Rep. Dermody has been interested in legislation that reforms the criminal justice system and sentencing of criminals.
Minority Whip: Rep. Mike Hanna (D, HD-76) – Centre, Clinton
Representative Mike Hanna was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1990. He graduated from Lock Haven University and then earned his law degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Rep. Hanna worked as a lawyer for 10 years prior to his election and currently maintains a small business, estate and real estate practice. He is a supporter of government reform, improving education, and increasing economic opportunities for citizens.
Minority Appropriations Chair: Rep. Joe Markosek (D, HD-25) – Allegheny, Westmoreland
Representative Joe Markosek was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1982. Rep. Markosek graduated from the University of Notre Dame and worked as a buyer of nuclear components from Westinghouse Water Reactor Division. While in office, he has worked to provide improved and comprehensive services for citizens with developmental disabilities. In addition, Rep. Markosek has championed funding for libraries, youth facilities, EMS providers, transportation improvements, and health-care organizations.
Minority Caucus Chair: Rep. Dan Frankel (D, HD-23) – Allegheny
Representative Dan Frankel was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1998. Frankel is the Democratic Caucus chair and he previously served as the Allegheny County Delegation chair. Representative Frankel has been an advocate for civil rights, including bringing equality to the LGBT community, and public health. He also has been dedicated to promoting urban and environmental issues.
Minority Caucus Secretary: Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D, HD-198) – Philadelphia
Representative Rosita Youngblood was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1994.She is a graduate of Antioch. Since taking office, Rep. Youngblood has been an advocate for issues such as mass transit funding, domestic violence, public welfare, and health services.
Minority Caucus Administrator: Rep. Neal Goodman (D, HD-123) – Schuylkill
Representative Neal Goodman was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2002. He is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and started his career in politics working in the House Democratic research office and then as chief of staff for former Rep. Edward Lucyk. Rep. Goodman also served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with a rank of sergeant.
Minority Caucus Policy Chair: Rep. Mike Sturla (D, PA-96) – Lancaster
Representative Mike Sturla was first sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1991. Sturla received his B.A. in Environmental Design from the University of Kansas. Previously, he founded the Sturla Brothers Inc. and was a member of the Lancaster City Council. He is currently the Democratic Policy Chairman and has been elected to 12 consecutive terms.
Senate Republicans
President Pro Tempore Elect: Sen. Joe Scarnati (R, SD-25) – Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren
Senator Joe Scarnati was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2000. He graduated from Penn State University at DuBois and became a third-generation business owner. Prior to his election, Sen. Scarnati served on both the Brockway Borough Council and the Jefferson County Development Council. While in office Sen. Scarnati has been committed to creating jobs and protecting families and communities.
Majority Leader: Sen. Jake Corman (R, SD-34) – Centre, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Union
Senator Jake Corman was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998. He obtained an Associate Degree in communications from Pennsylvania College of Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University. Sen. Corman previously served as the Republican Policy Chairman before being elected to serve as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2009. He has been an advocate for strengthening the economy and workforce as well as solving health care issues.
Majority Whip: Sen. John Gordner (R, SD-27) – Columbia, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder
Senator John Gordner was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law. Prior to his election to Senate, Sen. Gordner served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 11 years. He has been continually involved in enhancing the state’s economic development and education programs.
Majority Appropriations Chair: Sen. Pat Browne (R, SD-16) – Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton
Senator was Pat Browne first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2005. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Temple University. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Sen. Browne worked as a certified public accountant. Sen. Browne served as Majority Whip during the 2013-2014 legislative session.
Majority Caucus Chairman: Sen. Bob Mensch (R, SD-24) – Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton
Senator Bob Mensch was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2009. Prior to his election, he served as a Marlborough Township Supervisor and then in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Sen. Mensch’s legislative priorities include economic development, tax policies, improving transportation infrastructure, and preserving farmland and open space.
Majority Caucus Secretary: Sen. Richard Alloway (R, SD-33) – Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, York
Senator Richard Alloway was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2008. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Shippensburg University and graduated from Widener Law School. Prior to his election, Sen. Alloway served as a magisterial district judge. Sen. Alloway is a supporter of small government and limited taxes on families and businesses.
Majority Caucus Administrator: Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R, SD-10) – Bucks, Montgomery
Senator Chuck McIlhinney was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2006. He earned a degree in finance from Bryant University and then worked as the Fiscal Director of the Bucks County Office of Employment and Training. Sen. McIlhinney then spent eight years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before joining the Senate. He is a strong advocate for open space preservation and land use management as well as legislation that creates or retains jobs.
Majority Caucus Policy Chair: Sen. Dave Argall (R, SD-29) – Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill
Senator Dave Argall was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2009. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College and his master’s degree and Ph.D. in public administration from Penn State University. He currently serves as a part-time public policy instructor at Penn State. Sen. Argall’s legislative priorities include promoting job growth, reducing the property tax, and revitalizing downtown and industrial areas.
Senate Democrats
Minority Leader: Sen. Jay Costa (D, SD-43) – Allegheny
Senator was Jay Costa first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1996.He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from Duquesne University. Prior to his election he served as a Deputy Sheriff and then as Register of Wills in Allegheny county.
Minority Whip: Sen. Anthony Williams (D, SD-8) – Delaware, Philadelphia
Senator Anthony Williams was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a degree in economics and then worked his way up to an executive position for PepsiCo. Sen. Williams first served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives starting in 1988 before being elected to the Senate. He is an advocate for issues such as education, public safety and economic opportunity.
Minority Appropriations Chair: Sen. Vincent Hughes (D, SD-7) – Montgomery, Philadelphia
Senator Vincent Hughes was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1994. Prior to joining the Senate, he served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987-1994. Sen. Hughes has been a champion in efforts to raise the minimum wage and establishing a statewide jobs program. He has worked on major revitalization projects in Philadelphia to enhance the city’s wellbeing and infrastructure.
Minority Caucus Chairman: Sen. Wayne Fontana (D, SD-42) – Allegheny
Senator Wayne Fontana was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2005. He obtained an associate’s degree in business from the Community College of Allegheny County and then worked as a real estate sales associate and broker. Prior to his election to the Senate, Sen. Fontana served on the Allegheny County Council. He is focused on creating new jobs and revitalizing industrial communities throughout the state.
Minority Caucus Secretary: Sen. Larry Farnese (D, SD-1) – Philadelphia
Senator Larry Farnese was first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2008. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Villanova University and graduated from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. Sen. Farnese is presently of council at a private law firm. While in office he has supported LGBT legislation, advocated for public safety, and championed economic development for cities and the state.
Minority Caucus Administrator: Sen. John Yudichak (D, SD-14) – Carbon, Luzerne, Monroe
Senator was John Yudichak first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2010. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in American studies. He has been a strong supporter of environmental safety, protecting senior citizens and providing a safe community for citizens.
Minority Caucus Policy Chair: Sen. Lisa Boscola (D, SD-18) – Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton
Senator was Lisa Boscola first elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Villanova University before serving as a Deputy Court Administrator in the Northampton County Court. Sen. Boscola also served two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before being elected to the Senate. While in office she has fought for creating jobs, protecting the rights of victims of crime, government reform and school to work opportunities.