Formal elections for the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus will be held today in Harrisburg, but State representatives already have chosen for a pair of regional leaders to retain their seats.
During a reorganization session in November, Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) was elected as speaker of the House of Representatives with Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana County) as majority leader during the 2017-18 legislative session.
“To be chosen by my colleagues to continue to serve as speaker of this esteemed institution is an exceptionally high honor,” Turzai said in a statement. “I am proud of our members and the outstanding accomplishments we have achieved together over the past two years.
“I look forward to working with all members to move Pennsylvania forward in the next session. Focusing on fiscal discipline and private sector job growth will be paramount.”
Local voters will also recognize and may have voted for the caucus secretary – Rep. Donna Oberlander –, who represents areas of Armstrong County such as Elderton, Rural Valley, Dayton and Templeton, as well as Clarion and Forest counties.) This will be Representative Oberlander’s second term as caucus secretary.
“It is such an hour to be re-elected to this post for the new legislative session,” Oberlander said. “Throughout my first term as caucus secretary, I was a key part of the overall House Republican leadership team, where we worked hard and were successful at fighting off the governor’s massive tax increases while also ensuring additional investments for education.”
Previously, Representative Oberlander chaired the House Oil and Gas Caucus and the House Diabetes Caucus.
Republicans will hold a 122-81 majority in the state House.