Westmoreland Review

Pennsylvania voters have reinstated a Republican majority in the state Senate following the recent General Election. All incumbent Republicans were re-elected, and new Republican senators are set to join them in Harrisburg.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) stated, "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." She assured residents that Republicans would focus on economic growth and job creation.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) remarked, "This is an historic and exciting time for Pennsylvania and our entire nation." He noted that voters had decisively chosen to send a strong Republican team to the state Senate. Pittman highlighted the significance of welcoming a new senator from Philadelphia for the first time in over two decades, emphasizing efforts to bridge divides across different regions of the state. He added, "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."

In the upcoming 2025-26 legislative session, Senate Republicans will hold a 28-22 majority.

Two new Republican senators were elected: Sen.-elect Dawn Keefer from the 31st Senate District covering parts of Cumberland and York counties, currently representing the 92nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and Sen.-elect Joe Picozzi from the 5th Senate District representing part of Philadelphia, who has previous experience working with the U.S. House of Representatives focusing on urban revitalization policies.

The newly elected senators will begin their four-year terms on January 7, 2025.