Summary
The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such that half of the seats are contested at each election.[2] Even numbered seats and odd numbered seats are contested in separate election years. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate becomes the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in the event of the sitting Lieutenant Governor’s removal, resignation or death. In this case the President Pro Tempore and Lieutenant Governor would be the same person.[3] The Pennsylvania Senate has been meeting since 1791.
The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor, who has no vote except in the event of an otherwise tie vote.
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Wikipedia
The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered every two years, such that half of the seats are contested at each election.[2] Even- and odd-numbered district seats are contested in separate election years. The president pro tempore of the Senate becomes the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in the event of the sitting lieutenant governor's removal, resignation or death. In this case the president pro tempore and lieutenant governor would be the same person.[3] The Pennsylvania Senate has been meeting since 1791.
The president of the Senate is the lieutenant governor, who has no vote except to break a tie vote.
Qualifications
Senators must be at least 25 years of age. They must be a U.S. citizen and a Pennsylvania resident four years, and a resident of that district one year prior to their election and must reside in that district during their term.[4]
Senate leadership
President of the Senate: Austin Davis (D)
President Pro Tempore of the Senate: Kim Ward (R)
| Majority party (R) | Leadership position | Minority party (D) |
| Joe Pittman | Floor Leader | Jay Costa |
| Wayne Langerholc | Whip | Christine Tartaglione |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Caucus Chairman | Maria Collett |
| Camera Bartolotta | Caucus Secretary | Steve Santarsiero |
| Scott Martin | Appropriations Committee Chairman | Vincent Hughes |
| Dave Argall | Policy Committee Chairman | Nick Miller |
| Lisa Baker | Caucus Administrator | Judy Schwank |
Composition
Historical sessions
| Affiliation | Party (shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ind | Democratic | Vacant | ||
| 1995–1996 session | 29 | 0 | 21 | 50 | 0 |
| 1997–1998 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2001–2002 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2003–2004 session | 29 | 21 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2005–2006 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2007–2008 session | 29 | 21 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2009–2010 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2011–2012 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2013–2014 session | 27 | 23 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2015–2016 session | 30 | 20 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2016–2017 session | 31 | 19 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2017–2018 session | 34 | 16 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2018–2019 session | 28 | 22 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2019–2020 session | 29 | 1 | 21 | 50 | 0 |
| 2021–2022 session | 28 | 1 | 21 | 50 | 0 |
| 2023–2024 session | 28 | 0 | 22 | 50 | 0 |
Current session
As of March 25, 2025:
| 23 | 27 |
| Democratic | Republican |
| Affiliation | Party (shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ind | Democratic | Vacant | ||
| End of previous legislature | 28 | 0 | 22 | 50 | 0 |
| January 7, 2025 | 27 | 0 | 22 | 49 | 1 |
| March 25, 2025 | 23 | 50 | 0 | ||
| Latest voting share | 54% | 46% | |||
Membership
The Senate comprises 50 members who are elected by district. In 2012, a State Senate district had an average population of 254,047 residents.
List of current members
- ^ John Blake resigned on February 15, 2021. Flynn was elected in a special election on May 18.
- ^ Ryan Aument resigned December 31, 2024 to become State Director to U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Malone was elected in a special election on March 25, 2025.
- ^ Dave Arnold died January 17, 2021. Gebhard was elected in a special election on May 18.
Standing committees
Past composition of the Senate
See also
- Pennsylvania State Senate information and voting records
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- President of the Pennsylvania Senate
- President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
- List of Pennsylvania state legislatures
References
- ^ The Pennsylvania Manual, pp. 3–7.
- ^ Article II, section 3, Pennsylvania Constitution.
- ^ Article IV, section 14, Pennsylvania Constitution.
- ^ "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"."Article II. The Legislature"."§5. Qualifications of Members".
Sources
- Trostle, Sharon, ed. (2009). The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 119. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. ISBN 978-0-8182-0334-3.
External links
- The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State Senate
- Pennsylvania State Senate information and voting records
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| National | |
