As Democrats take control of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the first time in more than 30 years, a longtime member from the Lehigh Valley will join her party’s leadership in the legislature’s upper chamber as two other area state lawmakers retain their posts.
Sen. Lisa Boscola, who represents the 18th District in Northampton and Lehigh counties, on Thursday was elected by her colleagues as Majority Caucus Chair for the 2027-28 legislative session.
Majority caucus chair is responsible for coordinating caucus meetings and discussions on policy and legislative priorities, as well as working to advance the party’s agenda in the Senate.
Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh, and Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh, attend a Thursday, May 28, 2026, news conference. Boscola has been elected by her Democratic colleagues as Majority Caucus Chair in the 2027-28 legislative session, while Miller will retain his post as Caucus Policy Chair as Democrats assume the majority in the upper chamber. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
“I am honored to have earned the trust and confidence of my colleagues to serve in this leadership role,” Boscola said in a news release. “For the first time in more than 30 years, Senate Democrats have the opportunity to lead the chamber and deliver on priorities that have been stalled for far too long. With that opportunity comes a tremendous responsibility to deliver meaningful results for the people of Pennsylvania. I am excited to be part of a leadership team that is ready to get to work.”
Boscola, 64, was elected to an eighth-term as state senator in the Nov. 3 election. She was first elected to the Senate in 1998.
She will join Lehigh County state Sen. Nick Miller, who represents the 16th District, in the Senate’s Democratic leadership. Miller was elected by his colleagues in 2024 as minority policy chair, and will retain that post as Democrats assume the majority.
Other Democratic leaders in the Senate for the next term:
President Pro Tempore Nominee: Sen. Jay Costa, Jr., Allegheny County
Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Maria Collett, Montgomery County
Appropriations Committee Chair: Sen. Vincent Hughes, Philadelphia
Caucus Whip: Sen. Steve Santarsiero, Bucks County
Secretary: Sen. Sharif Street, Philadelphia
Administrator: Sen. Marty Flynn, Lackawanna County
Meanwhile in the state House, Lehigh County Rep. Mike Schlossberg will retain the No. 3 position in the Democratic leadership.
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg (Contributed photo/Pennsylvania House of Representatives)
The House Democratic Caucus said Thursday in a news release announcing their leadership team that Schlossberg, who serves the 132nd House District, will once again be the party’s whip for the 2026-27 legislative session.
The 132nd district covers South Whitehall Township, and parts of Allentown Ward 8, Ward 11, Ward 13 and Upper Macungie Township.
He was re-elected Nov. 3 for his eighth term.
The House whip secures and counts party votes, works on legislation and coordinates strategy for House Democrats.
“I am honored to be chosen by my colleagues to continue serving at Majority Whip in the new session,” Schlossberg said in a statement. “This role allows me to work hands-on to make sure the House of Representatives delivers for all Pennsylvanians, using the experiences and lessons I have gained representing my neighbors in Parkland and Allentown.”
Schlossberg is a former Allentown City Council member first elected state representative in 2012. He previously worked for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Schlossberg is the highest-ranking Lehigh Valley Democrat in the state House. Other party leaders in the new session will include:
House Speaker: Rep. Joanna McClinton, Philadelphia and Delaware counties
Majority Leader: Rep. Matt Bradford, Montgomery County
Appropriations Chair: Rep. Jordan Harris, Philadelphia
Caucus Chair: Rep. Rob Matzie, Beaver County
Secretary: Rep. Tina Davis, Bucks County
Administrator: Rep. Leanne Krueger, Delaware County
Policy Chair: Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Erie County