Montco Lawmaker Named PA Senate Majority Leader

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Fresh off her re-election victory, State Sen. Maria Collett has been named as the PA Senate Majority Leader.

The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2027-28 legislative session on Thursday, their first as the Senate majority caucus in over three decades.

"I am humbled and honored that my Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues have entrusted me to serve as the next Senate Majority Leader," Collett said. "I feel the weight of that trust every bit as much as the privilege of it."

The 52-year-old Collett has represented the 12th Senate District since 2018. Before that, she served as a registered nurse and was the state's Deputy Attorney General.

Collett won her re-election bid in the 12th Senate District race over Republican challenger Robert F. Costello III, nearly doubling his votes, according to unofficial results.

" I am just as mindful of the responsibility handed to us by the people of Pennsylvania, who have sent Senate Democrats to the majority for the first time in a generation because they want a government that works for them," she said. "Together, we will lower costs for working families, raise the minimum wage, strengthen our schools, protect fundamental rights, and build an economy that offers opportunity to every community. I am ready to get to work."

The 12th Senatorial District includes Ambler, Bryn Athyn, Hatboro, Hatfield, Lansdale, Souderton, and Telford boroughs, and Franconia, Hatfield, Horsham, Lower Gwynedd, Lower Moreland, Montgomery, Plymouth, Salford, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Whitpain and Worcester townships.

The new and returning members have elected the following leadership team:

• President Pro Tempore Nominee – Jay Costa, Jr. (Allegheny)
• Senate Majority Leader – Maria Collett (Montgomery)
• Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia)
• Caucus Whip – Steve Santarsiero (Bucks)
• Chair – Lisa Boscola (Northampton)
• Policy Committee Chair – Nick Miller (Lehigh)
• Secretary – Sharif Street (Philadelphia)
• Administrator – Marty Flynn (Lackawanna)

(State Sen. Maria Collett)