Harrisburg, PA − November 15, 2022 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus proudly welcomes a new member, Senator Nick Miller of Allentown.
The new and returning members elected the following Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Caucus Whip – Tina Tartaglione
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Appropriations Vice Chair – Tim Kearney
- Caucus Chair – Wayne D. Fontana
- Caucus Secretary – Maria Collett
- Administrator – Judy Schwank
“I am honored and humbled to announce that I will be serving as the Leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus for the next two years. I’d like to thank my fellow Democratic senators for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I hope to do our caucus proud,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I am excited about the work before us, and I am honored to be leading the Democratic caucus as we continue to deliver for PA’s families. Let’s get it done.”
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HARRISBURG, PA − November 14, 2018 − The entire leadership team of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was reelected today to serve its membership for the 2019-20 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus won five new seats in the 2018 midterm elections and will have 21 members in the coming session. The new and returning members elected this Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Whip – Anthony Hardy Williams
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Chair – Wayne D. Fontana
- Secretary – Larry Farnese
- Policy Committee Chair – Lisa Boscola
- Administrator – John Blake
- Vice Chair, Appropriations Committee – Judy Schwank
“It has been an honor to serve as the Leader of this caucus, and I am again honored that my colleagues have trusted me with this responsibility for another session,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “We have a dynamic, passionate caucus and I know this leadership team will serve them well. I look forward to swearing in our new and returning members this January, and then getting to work.”
Harrisburg – November 16, 2016 – Senate Democrats today elected leaders for the 2017-18 legislative session. State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was re-elected Democratic Floor Leader.
“It is an honor and a privilege to once again be chosen to serve the caucus as Leader,” Costa said. “We face many challenges moving into the new session but our members are focused and determined to address key issues and provide for the needs of all Pennsylvanians.”
Costa was elected to the Senate in 1996 and was elected into leadership in 2006, serving first as Caucus Chairman and later Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Costa will be joined in leadership for the 2017-18 legislative session by:
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Phila./Montgomery), Democratic Whip. Williams has served in the state legislature since 1988 and was elected to the Senate in 1998. He has served as Democratic Whip since 2011.
Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery), Democratic Appropriations chair. Senator Hughes was elected to the Senate in 1994 and served the caucus previously as Caucus Chairman. This will be Hughes’ fourth term as Democratic Appropriations chair.
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Caucus Chairman. Fontana was elected to the Senate in 2005 and was appointed to the leadership team in 2011 as Caucus Administrator where he served for four years.
Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Secretary. Sen. Farnese has represented the First Senatorial District since 2009 and has served on the Democratic leadership team as Caucus Secretary since 2014.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), Policy Committee Chair. Boscola has served in the legislature for more than 20 years and was chosen to serve in 2010 as Caucus Administrator and elected in 2011 as Policy Committee chair.
The leadership positions are effective Dec. 1.
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November 17, 2010 –State Senate Democrats today elected Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) as their new Democratic floor leader.
“I am honored that my Senate Democratic colleagues have expressed the confidence in me to lead them in the next session. I hope to provide strong, aggressive and unified leadership as we work together to solve problems,” Costa said.
Last session, Costa was elected by his colleagues to serve as Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and previously served as Allegheny County Register of Wills (1992-96) and Deputy Sheriff (1984-89).
Costa succeeds retiring Democratic Leader Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna/
Luzerne/Monroe), who held the position since 1989.
Other Democratic senators were also elected to the leadership slate.
Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) was elected Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee chairman. Hughes has served in the state legislature since 1987. He was elected to the Senate in 1994 and most recently served as Democratic Caucus chairman.
“We have to find common ground and work together — and we will,” Hughes said. “Job creation needs to be a top priority and I will work with my colleagues to ensure that their good ideas contribute to our collective solution.”
Sen. Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks) was re-elected Senate Democratic whip. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1972 after serving two terms in the state House of Representatives.
“I am grateful to my Senate Democratic colleagues for their continued trust and support,” O’Pake said. “I look forward to working on tough issues such as property tax reform with my colleagues to help Berks County and Pennsylvania residents.”
Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila./Delaware) was elected caucus chairman. Williams first joined the Senate in 1998. He began his career in public service at the age of 31, first winning office as a state representative.
“By working together with all senators from across the state we can craft solutions that really impact lives,” Williams said. “Our caucus stands firm for working families, improving schools and enhancing the daily lives of all Pennsylvanians.”
The new Democratic Caucus secretary is Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). She was elected to the Senate in 1994. Prior to her election to the Senate, the Philadelphia Democrat served as business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
“The Senate Democratic leadership team is strong and balanced and represents diverse views,” Tartaglione said. “We have the ability to explore new ideas and initiatives and will move forward together.”
Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset) was re-elected Senate Democratic Policy Committee chairman. Kasunic was elected to the Senate in November 1994 but also served as a member of the state House of Representatives.
“I have always prided myself in providing a forum for open discussion and dialogue on important issues facing all Pennsylvanians,” Kasunic said. “I pledge to keep the policy committee active and viable.”
Elected to the leadership team as caucus administrator was Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe). Boscola was first elected to the state House in 1994. She was elected to the Senate in 1998.
“I will bring a unique perspective from a growing part of Pennsylvania to the Senate Democratic leadership team,” Boscola said. “We need to be unified and vigilant as we deal with pressing issues like a tight state budget, reapportionment and creating jobs for working men and women. “
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