Democrat voted Pennsylvania speaker, foiling GOP hopes

Legislators of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are sworn-in, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. The ceremony marks the convening of the 2023-2024 legislative session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Matt Smith)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democrat who promised to govern as an independent was elected speaker of the narrowly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday on the strength of every Democrat and more than a dozen GOP votes. The chamber voted 115 to 85 on Tuesday to make Rep. Mark Rozzi of Berks County its speaker after Republicans were unable to convert their narrow majority into a vote to retain the post. Rozzi overcame the rival candidacy of a rival Republican. But Rozzi’s election leaves questions about how the chamber will operate in the short term and whether he will remain a Democrat.