Six newly elected members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have been sworn in.
The new lawmakers who took their oaths Tuesday won special elections on April 24 to complete the terms of legislators who stepped down early.
Five of the six are Democrats: Reps. Harold James, Ed Neilson and Gary Williams of Philadelphia, Rep. Madeleine Dean of Montgomery County and Rep. Martin Schmotzer of Allegheny County. The only Republican newcomer is Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Lehigh County.
Harold James will finish the unexpired 186th District term of now Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Democrat Jordan Harris has no Republican opponent for the seat in Nov.
Ed Neilson fills the seat of Republican Councilman Dennis O'Brien in the 169th District. Neilson will face Republican David Kralle again, after defeating him in the April special election, in the Nov. general election.
Gary Williams won the special election for the 197th District seat vacated this year by Sheriff Jewell Williams. Democrat J.P. Miranda will face Republican Steve Crum, who was defeated in the special election, in Nov.
Madeleine Dean takes the seat left open when Josh Shapiro won election as a Montgomery county commissioner. Dean will again face Republican opponent Nicholas Mattiacci to retain the seat in the fall election.
Politics
In addition to new titles and responsibilities, they received brief welcoming remarks from the House speaker and the Republican and Democratic floor leaders.
