McClinton: PA House Democratic Caucus to expand its majority
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton August 19, 2026 | 3:38 PM
McClinton: PA House Democratic Caucus to expand its majority
HARRISBURG, Aug. 19 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, said that next month the state House will welcome Rep.-elect Brandon Dukes, a Democrat from Butler County in western Pennsylvania.
When Dukes is sworn in to the House in September, the body will have 103 Democrats and 100 Republicans and will mark the first time Democrats have surpassed 102 seats, since they won control of the chamber in 2022.
“Our caucus has kept its promise to put working families, seniors and students first since securing the majority nearly four years ago,” McClinton said. “Since then, we’ve cut taxes seven times for seniors, families and small businesses, delivered record funding to our public schools, and brought compassion, stability and common sense to governing at a time when our neighbors are reeling from the chaos in Washington.”
McClinton said she and her colleagues have worked alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro to boost the state’s economy and make life more affordable by helping seniors save on their property tax bill, creating a new tax credit for Pennsylvania’s workers, and cutting more than $1.5 billion in business taxes.
“By strengthening our majority, we will continue advancing policies that make a real difference in people’s lives — from curbing the growth of new data centers and investing in our schools and communities to keeping our families and neighborhoods safe,” McClinton added.
House Democrats have passed 467 bills this legislative session including bills to protect healthcare, regulate data center development, and invest in affordable housing, while the Republican-led Senate has passed fewer than 90.
Dukes will be the first Democrat to represent Butler County’s 12th district in nearly 30 years.
The legislative session ends on Nov. 30, 2026.