HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate today elected Senator Jake Corman (R-34) to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore for the 2021-22 legislation session and welcomed new and returning members to the chamber during swearing-in ceremonies at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.
In brief remarks to the chamber, Corman said the legislature must focus on transparency to make sure the public has faith in the work of the Senate.
“When we open the doors and windows of this great institution, I am confident the public will experience what I have seen for the last 43 years – hard-working men and women striving to represent their constituents to the best of their abilities with courage and honor,” Corman said. “Each of us are here working to make our Commonwealth a better place for the next generations. I am humbled that you have bestowed this honor of a lifetime upon me today.”
Before being elected to the third-highest constitutional office in the Commonwealth, Corman served as Majority Leader of the Senate from 2015-20, and as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In addition to Corman’s election, new and returning members were sworn into office following the November 3 election in which voters again backed a Republican Senate majority.
Voters sent two new Republican senators to Harrisburg. The new members of the Republican caucus are:
- Senator Devlin Robinson (R-37), who served in the United States Marine Corps on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan and later founded a small business, Veterans Medical Technology. One of his priorities is ending job-crushing taxes and regulatory overreach that have stifled economic opportunity. The 37th Senatorial District includes parts of Allegheny and Washington counties.
- Senator Cris Dush (R-25), a former chief hostage negotiator, Air Force veteran, and law enforcement specialist who represented the 66th House district in the General Assembly. One of his priorities in the Senate is to restore legislative sovereignty over the laws of the Commonwealth. The 25th Senatorial District includes all of Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga counties and parts of Cameron County.
In addition, voters re-elected the following Republican senators:
- Senator Scott Martin (R-13)
- Senator John DiSanto (R-15)
- Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-21)
- Senator Gene Yaw (R-23)
- Senator John Gordner (R-27)
- Senator Dave Argall (R-29)
- Senator Mike Regan (R-31)
- Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33)
- Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-35)
- Senator Kim Ward (R-39)
- Senator Joe Pittman (R-41)
- Senator Elder Vogel (R-47)
- Senator Dan Laughlin (R-49)
Senate Republicans will have a 28-20 majority in the 2021-22 legislative session, with one Independent member who caucuses with Republicans. The 45th District Senate seat remains open, pending a federal court ruling on illegally submitted ballots.
CONTACT: Jenn Kocher – Senate Republican Communications (717) 787-6725