Joanna McClinton elected speaker after tied roll call; delivers call for bipartisanship

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives elected Representative Joanna E. McClinton as speaker on Jan. 7, 2025, after an initial roll call produced a 101-101 tie between McClinton and Representative Jesse Topper.

Representative Joanna E. McClinton, the Democratic nominee for speaker, received 101 votes in the recorded ballot; Representative Jesse Topper received 101 votes. After the tied result, Topper withdrew his candidacy and the House proceeded to an immediate voice vote in which the chair declared McClinton elected speaker. Chief Justice Deborah Todd of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court administered the oath to members earlier in the session; Judge Tamika Lane of the Pennsylvania Superior Court later administered the oath to the speaker-elect.

McClinton used her remarks after being presented to the rostrum to emphasize cooperation across party lines and to cite recent bipartisan legislation. "When we find common ground, we are able to do what literally seemed to be impossible," McClinton said, pointing to recent bills on education funding, childcare tax credits and health coverage that she said had bipartisan support. She thanked colleagues and noted the scale of responsibility in the chamber.

The nomination for McClinton was placed by Representative Davidson and seconded during the formal nomination process; Representative Dougherty moved to close nominations prior to the balloting. Representative Jesse Topper was nominated by Representative Roe and seconded; after the tied ballot Topper withdrew his name and moved that the House proceed to elect McClinton, which the chair resolved by voice vote.

Following her election, the chair appointed David Rogan, Esquire, as parliamentarian of the House; the mace was placed on the rostrum to signify the authority of the speaker. McClinton received the gavel from her sister, Lisa McClinton, on the floor after her oath.

The swearing-in and speaker election were part of the House's organization for the 2025–26 legislative session. Members of both parties delivered brief remarks during the ceremony acknowledging the close partisan split in the chamber and urging cooperation. Representative Bradford, elected majority leader by the Democratic caucus, and Representative Topper, the Republican floor leader, both urged civility and focus on constituent needs.

Looking ahead, McClinton said the chamber had work to do on transit, education equity and other matters that require bipartisan effort. "We are here to work together," she said. The House then proceeded to additional organizational business, including adoption of House rules, committee appointments and other formal actions.

Ending: The speaker's election concluded the first major organizational action of the session; the House moved on to adopt rules and to convene a joint session with the Senate to certify statewide election returns and to elect the director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.