Joanna McClinton Becomes First Woman Elected As PA Speaker Of The House

HARRISBURG, PA — Weeks after his surprise election to the post and in the midst of controversy and uncertainty over his political alignment, new Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi announced his resignation. In a speech before the general assembly late Tuesday morning, Rozzi threw his full support behind the original Democratic pick for Speaker: Philadelphia State Rep. Joanna McClinton.

Shortly thereafter, McClinton was officially elected by a vote of 102-99 as the first female Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania history. A former waitress and public defender, she is also just the second Black representative to lead the general assembly in its 200-year history.

In comments made before the chamber after being sworn-in, McClinton indicated that she would uphold Rozzi's efforts at bipartisanship. "The majority party will no longer silence the minority party," she said.

McClinton addressed Pennsylvania's history as a leader in inclusion and diversity, and spoke optimistically about the future in direct response to Rozzi's comments about ending partisan gridlock and vitriol in Harrisburg.

“I’m confident if we collaborate rather than criticize, debate rather than disparage and replace shortsighted political gain with sincere cooperation - this body can do better - and will do better," McClinton said. "Today can be our fresh start."

Rozzi's resignation and McClinton's historic installment comes amid Republican fury over Rozzi's refusal to formally announce his switch from Democrat to Independent, as he had promised when he was elected with bipartisan support to the post. But in an unexpected resignation speech given to the chamber late Tuesday morning, Rozzi said that he was "hoodwinked" and "used" by Republicans who were trying to forestall McClinton's election.

"I will never be used again," Rozzi said in his speech, to a roaring ovation from House Democrats, before adding, "I was not elected for this office, and I will not stand in the way of the woman who was."

Rozzi's decision to voluntarily step down, once Democrats had the small majority and were able to elect a Speaker of their choosing without compromising with Republicans, was lauded by others in his party.

"Mark has done the honorable thing," State Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) said. "He cares deeply about this issue - before anything else. His legacy is selfless. We should be proud for his service."

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Rozzi noted that while he was not in full alignment with McClinton on policy, he admired her desire to reform Harrisburg. He quoted McClinton's words to a deeply divided chamber in Nov. 2021, when she noted that "we have an obligation to pass this institution on to the next generation in a better condition than we received it. But if we continue down this path, we won’t have an institution to pass on. We will live in nothing more than a tyranny of the majority. Let us return to civility."

McClinton, first elected to the House in 2015, has been a rising star in the state's party for years.

“Joanna, I believe in your words. I believe in you," Rozzi said after reading McClinton's words. "I was not elected by the people for this office, and I will not stand in the way of the woman who was."

In the wake of Rozzi's speech, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta formally nominated McClinton for the post with an unequivocal statement: "Delay is not denial," he said. Republicans, meanwhile, nominated their original choice: State Rep. Carl Metzger from Somerset County. McClinton got all 102 Democratic votes, and Metzger got all 99 Republican votes.

Democrats celebrated.

"SO well deserved," State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery) said. "I can't wait to see the great work Speaker McClinton will do in this role."

Rozzi was elected as the balance of power hung evenly between Democrats and Republicans. That is no longer the case, as the three special elections to replace empty seats not filled during last fall's midterms were all won by Democrats.