November 16, 2016
Senate Leadership Elections
Both caucuses of the Pennsylvania Senate met today to hold their leadership elections. Here’s who will be at the helm of each for the 2017-2018 legislative session.
Senate Republicans
Republicans hold a strong majority in the Senate, with 34 members to Democrats’ 16 members. Their leadership team will include the following members next session:
President Pro Tempore: Sen. Joseph Scarnati (Cameron) currently serves as the President Pro Tempore; today he was selected as interim Pro Tempore, and the whole Senate will vote on his election as President Pro Tempore in January.
Floor leader: Sen. Jake Corman (Centre) is the current Republican Leader; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Whip: Sen. John Gordner (Columbia) is the current Republican Whip; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Appropriations Chairman: Sen. Pat Browne (Lehigh) currently serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Chairman: Sen. Bob Mensch (Berks) is the current Caucus Chairman; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Secretary: Sen. Richard Alloway (Adams) is the current Republican Caucus Secretary; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Administrator: Sen. Charles McIlhinney (Bucks) is the current Republican Caucus Administrator; he will continue serve in that post next session.
Policy Chair: Sen. David Argall (Schuylkill) is the current Republican Policy Chair; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Senate Democrats:
Floor Leader: Sen. Jay Costa (Allegheny) is the current Democratic Leader; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Whip: Sen. Anthony Williams (Philadelphia) is the current Democratic Whip; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Appropriations Chairman: Sen. Vince Hughes (Philadelphia) is the current Democratic Appropriations Chairman; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Chairman: Sen. Wayne Fontana (Allegheny) is the current Democratic Caucus Chairman; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Secretary: Sen. Larry Farnese (Philadelphia) is the current Democratic Caucus Secretary; he will continue to serve in that post next session.
Caucus Administrator: Sen. John Yudichak (Luzerne) is the current Democratic Caucus Administrator; Caucus Administrator is an appointed position and has not been named yet.
Policy Chair: Sen. Lisa Boscola (Lehigh) is the current Democratic Policy Chair; she will continue to serve in that post next session.
For an explanation of the duties of each position, check out our blog post from last week: https://www.buchanangovernmentrelations.com/worth-another-look-legislative-leadership-elections/.