2022 Pennsylvania Election Recap

November 30, 2022 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

2022 Pennsylvania Election Recap

Democratic gubernatorial nominee and current Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro was elected as Pennsylvania’s next governor defeating Republican nominee, Pennsylvania Senator Doug Mastriano. Prior to being elected as Attorney General, Shapiro served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2005 to 2012 and was a Montgomery County Commissioner from 2011-2017. Austin Davis, current member of the Pennsylvania House was elected as Lieutenant Governor. Shapiro and Davis will be sworn into office on January 17, 2023. The small business community remains hopeful that the incoming Administration will remain true to their campaign promises, including not supporting Pennsylvania’s entrance into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a top priority of the Wolf administration, as well as a willingness to work with the small business community to promote and grow Pennsylvania’s economy. Pennsylvania Senate In the Pennsylvania Senate, Republicans will retain control of the chamber with a 27-22 majority. There is currently one vacancy from the recent resignation of Senator John Gordner (R). The Majority Caucus unanimously elected Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) to serve as interim President Pro-Tempore, replacing retiring President Pro-Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre). Ward will be elected by the full Senate to the position on January 3. The Senate Republican leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session will be: Majority Leader: Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) Majority Whip: Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) Senate Appropriations Committee Chair: Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) Majority Caucus Chair: Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) Majority Caucus Secretary: Sen. Camera Bartolotta, (R-Washington) The Senate Democratic leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session will be: Democratic Leader: Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) Democratic Whip: Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) Democratic Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee: Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) Democratic Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee: Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) Democratic Caucus Chair: Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) Democratic Caucus Secretary: Sen. Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) and Democratic Caucus Administrator: Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) Pennsylvania House All 203 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election. At the time we go to press, the makeup of the PA House remains in flux. Current election results place the chamber at 102-101 with a Democratic Majority. However, three seats held by Democrats will be vacant in January due to Austin Davis (incoming Lieutenant Governor) and Summer Lee (incoming member of Congress) winning election to other offices. Additionally, longtime state Representative Anthony DeLuca won reelection to his seat despite passing away in October. This may result in the Republican party retaining control of the chamber for the first several months of the new session, while the democrats will assume control after the special elections mentioned above. The House is expected to elect a speaker on January 3, the day members are sworn in for the coming term. The House Democratic Leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session will be: Democratic Leader: Rep. Joanna E. McClinton (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) Democratic Whip: Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) Democratic Chair, House Appropriations Committee: Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) Chairman, House Democratic Policy Committee: Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) Democratic Caucus Secretary: Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bucks) Democratic Caucus Administrator: Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) Democratic Caucus Chairman: Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny) The House Republican Leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session will be: Republican Leader: Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) Republican Whip: Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) Republican Chair, House Appropriations Committee: Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) Republican Caucus Chair: Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) Republican Caucus Administrator: Rep Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) Republican Caucus Secretary: Martina White (R-Philadelphia) Chairman, House Republican Policy Committee: Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington)

Topics:

Economy

State:

Pennsylvania

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

Line chart of the Small Business Optimism Index (1986=100) from 1970 to present, showing fluctuations around 100 with an average of 98.0 and NFIB branding at the bottom.

July 15, 2026

Is Latest NFIB Index the Start of Something Good?

Small Business Optimism survey rose 2.1 points in June survey

July 15, 2026

Small Business Optimism Rises in Latest NFIB Survey

Is two-point rise in June an aberration or the start of something big?

July 15, 2026

Is NFIB’s Latest Index the Start of Something Big or an Aberration?

Small Business Optimism survey rose 2.1 points in June survey

July 14, 2026

For 250 Years, Small Businesses Have Built America

An opinion article highlights the historic importance of independent businesses and how overreaching regulatory burdens threaten small business growth.

2022 Pennsylvania Election Recap

Related Articles