Tuesday was a busy day in Harrisburg, with General Assembly legislators being sworn in and the State House electing its Speaker for the term.
Democratic Representative Matthew Gergely of McKeesport suffered a medical emergency over the holidays that rendered him unable to be present for Tuesday’s legislative proceedings.
Republican Representative Andrew Kuzma of Elizabeth Township said that Representative Gergely was in critical but stable condition on Monday. By Tuesday, he said the representative was improving.
The election gave the State House a 102 to 101 margin in favor of Democrats. With Representative Gergely missing Tuesday’s vote, the chamber’s election of a Speaker had some complications.
Democrat Representative McClinton and Republican Representative Topper were both nominated to lead the State House, and Tuesday’s vote resulted in a tie of 101 to 101 with Representative Gergely not in attendance.
Following the tie, Representative Topper withdrew himself from consideration, acknowledging that Democrats had won the majority of seats after November’s election. Representative McClinton was approved as Speaker of the Pennsylvania State House by voice vote on a second ballot afterwards.
Rep. Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia was reelected as the Pennsylvania House Speaker after the GOP floor leader bowed out. https://t.co/FLmO6hbq5R
— KDKA (@KDKA) January 8, 2025
House Democrats viewed Representative Topper’s decision as a show of bipartisanship. Democratic Majority Leader Representative Matt Bradford reacted, saying, “You’re a good man, Mr. Topper, and I thank you.”
Representative Topper’s decision drew a standing ovation from colleagues in the chamber. He wished Gergely a speedy recovery in his floor remarks. He is the current Republican leader and a former ranking member on the Education Committee.
Speaker McClinton said that lawmakers “can’t wait for him to get back” of Representative Gergely.
After Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House and Senate are not scheduled to meet again until late January. Towards the beginning of February, Governor Josh Shapiro will deliver his budget address.
