HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Pennsylvania Democrats celebrated election victories Wednesday that will give them control of the state Senate and expand their majority in the House, putting both legislative chambers and the governor’s office under Democratic control.
Lawmakers gathered on the Capitol steps and said they plan to advance legislation on issues including the minimum wage and abortion access. They said those measures had stalled under the outgoing Republican Senate majority.
“Far too often, hundreds of our bills got stuck in a drawer,” House Speaker Joanna McClinton said.
Democrats have not held a Senate majority since the 1990s, and it has been nearly 50 years since voters elected a Democratic majority to the chamber.
Sen. Jay Costa, who is widely expected to become Senate president pro tempore, said Democrats intend to move legislation to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
“We’ll be voting on these things, and we’re going to get them to the governor’s desk, because there’s so much that’s been bottled up for so many years that we’re going to do,” Costa said.
Speaking at the governor’s official residence, Shapiro said voters chose a Democratic Senate majority because they were frustrated with political gridlock. He said he remains willing to work with Republicans.
“I’m someone who wants to bring people together to get stuff done,” Shapiro said. “If they want to work with us, we will work with them.”
Republican Rep. Tom Kutz, of Cumberland County, said he hopes Shapiro and Democratic lawmakers continue to work across party lines rather than focus solely on Democratic priorities.
Asked whether the new majorities would act on skill games or sentencing for second-degree murder after lawmakers missed deadlines to address those issues earlier this year, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said he expected a different outcome with Democrats in charge of the Senate.
“The House is a nimble bunch. We’re a humble bunch. We’re willing to take action on anything,” Bradford said.
Costa said leading a narrow Senate majority would require care.
“It tells us we have to be thoughtful. We have to be reasonable,” he said.
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania said in a statement that it remained committed to conservative policies despite the election results. Chairman Greg Rothman said the party would analyze the outcome and work to strengthen its organization.
“Elections bring both victories and setbacks, but our responsibility to the people of Pennsylvania doesn’t change,” Rothman said.