Unexpected Pennsylvania House speaker (Mark Rozzi) hopes to retain job

[FakeNoose]

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/01/31/mark-rozzi-pa-house-speaker-ap-interview-democrats-republicans-mcclinton/stories/202301310111

HARRISBURG — The rank-and-file Democrat who was unexpectedly elected speaker of the Pennsylvania House as a compromise candidate earlier this month is saying he hopes to keep the job even after three vacant Democratic-leaning seats are filled in special elections next week.

In a lengthy interview late Monday in his state Capitol suite, Speaker Mark Rozzi said he won't necessarily step aside and support the Democratic floor leader, Rep. Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia, as speaker.

“I know how to count votes, first of all,” said Mr. Rozzi, who represents a mostly suburban area around Reading. “So, you know, at the end of the day she still has to get the votes to become speaker of the House.”

Democrats won 102 seats in November to Republicans' 101, which was enough for a bare Democratic majority after 12 years under Republican control, but one reelected Democrat died in October and two others resigned in December because they also won higher offices. Elections are next Tuesday to fill those three vacancies, all in the Pittsburgh area.

Republicans were not able to muster enough votes to elect their own speaker when the new session began Jan. 3, leading to Mr. Rozzi's emergence as an alternative. Ms. McClinton and all Democrats voted for him, along with all seven members of House GOP leadership and nine other Republicans.

- more at link -

Well this is news to most of us. I thought Mark Rozzi already had the gavel for the next 2 years. He agreed to "not caucus" with either party and essentially remain independent for as long as he retains the title of Speaker. If Mr. Rozzi should step aside in favor of Joanna McClinton as the next Speaker, well, she has made no such promise.