HARRISBURG, Pa. – More than 50 newly elected legislators took their oaths of office on Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Capitol.
Three freshmen legislators from the Lehigh Valley — two in the Senate and one in the House — were among them.
- More than 50 newly elected officials took their oaths of office on Tuesday
- Three freshmen lawmakers from the Lehigh Valley were among them
- Sen. Nick Miller, 28, of Allentown, is the youngest member of the state Senate
In the state House, Democrat Josh Siegel, a former member of Allentown City Council, took his seat representing the redrawn 22nd District.
In the Senate, Democrat Nick Miller, formerly vice president of the Allentown School Board, was sworn in to represent the Lehigh Valley's new 14th District seat; and Republican Jarrett Coleman, a pilot and former member of the Parkland School Board, was sworn in to serve the 16th District.
“It was just awesome. It was just a great day,” Miller shortly after the ceremony. “Now, I’m looking forward to getting to work.”
Miller, 28, is the youngest member in the Senate and the youngest to serve since the 19th century.
As he enters office, he said he plans to address concerns that impact constituents from throughout his district, which straddles Allentown and Bethlehem, including a focus on improving public education and working to fix inflation concerns.
During a day where lawmakers were focused on electing a new Speaker of the House -- in both Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. -- newly elected officials toured the state Capitol with their families in tow.
Siegel, 29, said between having his family with him and being involved in discussions on the next Speaker, he’d had a busy day.
“In one sense I’m humbled by the responsibility and the majesty of the power of this place. On the other hand, I’m excited to finally go from representative-elect and to get to work."State Representative Josh Siegel
Lawmakers late in the afternoon elected Democratic state Rep. Mark Rozzi of Berks County as House Speaker.
Siegel said he felt “a combination of humbled and ecstatic,” after his ceremonial swearing-in.
“In one sense I’m humbled by the responsibility and the majesty of the power of this place. On the other hand, I’m excited to finally go from representative-elect and to get to work," Siegel said.
Asked how his time as an Allentown councilperson might have prepared him for Harrisburg, Siegel said he thinks he hopes to show the need to support urban communities. He said urban areas like Allentown encompass more than 60% of the state population.
“We really do need to have a robust urban agenda here in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Coleman could not immediately be reached for comment. He takes over the seat previously held by longtime Sen. Pat Browne, whom Coleman defeated in last year's Republican primary.
Other Lehigh Valley lawmakers starting new terms are, in the Senate:
- Sen. Lisa Boscola, D
And, in the House:
- Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R
- Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D
- Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D
- Rep. Peter Schweyer, D
- Rep. Steve Samuelson, D
- Rep. Robert Freeman, D
- Rep. Joe Emrick, R
- Rep. Ann Flood, R
- Rep. Zach Mako, R
- Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R
