Senate Democrats reshuffled members in Caucus Leadership posts in response to the December 27 death of Sen. Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks), who was Caucus Whip.
Those elected were:
-- Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) will succeed Sen. O’Pake as Whip. Sen. Williams previously served as Caucus Chairman;
-- Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Somerset) will replace Sen. Williams as Caucus Chairman. Sen. Kasunic previously served in leadership as Democratic Policy Committee Chairman;
-- Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) was elected to replace Sen. Kasunic as chair of the Democratic Policy Committee. She previously served as Caucus Administrator; and
-- Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) was chosen to replace Sen. Boscola as Caucus Administrator.
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said he is pleased with the new leadership team.
“Each of these senators brings a fresh perspective, extensive experience and legislative skill to these caucus positions,” Sen. Costa said. “With the new Senate Democratic leadership team in place, I look forward to working with our new leaders and caucus members in pushing our agenda forward."
Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams was elected to the Senate in 1998. He previously served five two-year terms in the state House of Representatives. Last year, he was elected to Senate Democratic Leadership as caucus chairman. Williams also serves as Democratic chairman of the State Government Committee.
Sen. Richard Kasunic was elected to the Senate in 1994, after serving six terms in the House of Representatives. He is a long-term member of Senate Democratic Leadership. He also serves as chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee as well as the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.
Sen. Boscola was elected to the Senate in 1998 after serving two terms in the House. She was appointed last year to Senate Democratic Leadership as caucus administrator. Boscola also serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, as well as the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Sen. Fontana was first elected to the Senate in a 2005. He previously served as an inaugural member of Allegheny County Council. Sen. Fontana is also Democratic Chair of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee.
