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State Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today was unanimously re-elected Leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus during caucus leadership elections.
“I am honored by this continued vote of confidence from my fellow Democratic senators and look forward to renewing our efforts to create business opportunities and good jobs during these challenging economic times; expanding access to quality health care; and fighting to cut consumer energy costs.
First elected in 1970, Mellow is the longest serving current Senate member. He was first elected to the top Democratic leadership position in 1988.
“At the end of the day, the public will judge us on what we accomplished as a legislative body, not on political gamesmanship,” Mellow said. “No political caucus has the market cornered on good ideas. Democrats and Republicans must pool our best efforts and work together toward reaching a bipartisan consensus on these important issues.”
Mellow is currently in his tenth four-year term in the Pennsylvania Senate. He also served as Senate President Pro Tempore between 1992 and 1994.
In other Senate Democratic leadership votes, Democrats unanimously re-elected Sen. Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks) as Democratic Whip, elected Sen. Jay Costa Jr. (D-Allegheny) as Democratic Appropriations chairman, re-elected Sen. Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset) as Democratic Policy Committee Chairman, elected Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) as Caucus Chairman, and elected Sen. Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) as Caucus Secretary.
Sen. Mike Stack (D-Phila.) was appointed vice Democratic chairman of the Appropriations Committee; and Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Phila.) was appointed Caucus Administrator.