The Pennsylvania legislature is getting a major infusion of new blood this January

[RandySF]

HARRISBURG — One of the biggest classes of first-time lawmakers in recent memory will be sworn in to the Pennsylvania legislature as leaders in the lower chamber grapple for power, complicating incoming legislators’ expressed desires to find common ground.

Nearly 50 new members will join the state House in January, making up a quarter of the chamber. Six people will also be sworn in to the state Senate for the first time, four of who previously served as lawmakers in the lower chamber.

Among the fresh faces for the 2023-24 session are lawyers, community activists, and the first physician to join the legislature in nearly 60 years.

“I don’t ever remember this many,” said Bill DeWeese, a former Democratic state House speaker. “This is a stupendous avalanche of new representatives.”

The first-year representatives and senators were elected under brand-new legislative maps drawn during this year’s redistricting process, which created a number of districts without incumbents and set off a wave of retirements.




https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/12/pa-legislature-midterm-election-2022-new-lawmakers/

[John1956PA]

1. Here in suburban/rural Western PA, the Rs are a solid block.

In the traditionally Dem City of New Castle, a R wife of a wealthy businessman defeated a long-time D incumbent. Just to the south of New Castle, the R ran unopposed. To the south of that, The R incumbent handily won in what has previously been a strong D district. The substantial distance between Western PA and Harrisburg makes it difficult for the representatives to handle their duties. There is not a lot of interest among able Dems to vie for these seats.

[Duncanpup]

2. I also live in R territory

Adams county pa Biglerville area perhaps Gettysburg is a blue dot.