WASHINGTON — Rep. Joanna McClinton was just elected as Pennsylvania Speaker of the House – making history as the state’s first woman Speaker as well as the first Black woman Speaker. With Leader McClinton’s election, there will be a historic six Black Speakers of the House in state legislative chambers across the country — the highest number in the nation’s history. Speaker McClinton will join the ranks alongside historic leaders in Michigan, Maine, Maryland, New York, and Illinois. The news comes after the DLCC and Pennsylvania Democrats defended their majority by winning three critical special elections — blocking Republicans from their attempt to overturn the will of the voters and take control of the chamber.
“Speaker Joanna McClinton is a history-making official who has dedicated her career to serving the Keystone State in the face of years of Republican extremism,” said VP of Communications Gabrielle Chew. “With Leader McClinton at the helm, Pennsylvania House Democrats will fight tooth and nail to hold the GOP accountable and work to preserve reproductive rights, protect our democracy, and invest in an economy that works for all. The DLCC is proud to stand by her side as she continues to make history and be a champion for all Pennsylvanians.”
The DLCC is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures. Last year, the DLCC defied the odds by not losing any state legislative majorities, flipping four key chambers, and creating four new Democratic trifectas – the best midterm year for the party in power since at least 1934. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and pass the policies that have the biggest impact on Americans’ day-to-day lives.
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