As the smoke clears from Tuesday’s primary election, one local
lawmaker stands to gain from the defeat of two members of the
state’s Republican leadership.

On Wednesday, state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, said what
direction the party will take in the future and how the
high-ranking leadership positions will sort out is still not clear,
a day removed from the defeat of Republican State Senate President
Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer and Republican Floor Leader David
“Chip” Brightbill.

The Republican policy chairman also wouldn’t speculate on
whether he would garner a more prominent post in the new party
hierarchy.

“Certainly, we have great talent and very bright people in our
caucus,” Scarnati said. “I believe the majority of Senate
Republicans will maintain and continue and tap into that talent.
The landscape of Harrisburg will look very, very different in
November, whether it’s through the general election or in those
inside the caucus for new leadership.”

Scarnati said of the nine leadership positions available in the
party, four of them remain intact, including his own and three of
his colleagues’. The others have been opened up by either death,
retirement or election defeats, including the death of Senate
Appropriations Chairman Robert Thompson in January and the
retirements of Noah Wenger and Republican Caucus Chairman Joe
Conti.

Jubelirer was defeated by Blair County Commissioner John
Eichelberger and Brightbill lost to Mike Folmer. It was the first
time in more than 40 years that any legislative leader in the state
was voted out of office.

In addition to Scarnati, Senate Republican Whip Jeffrey Piccola
are seen as two potential successors to those positions.

Republicans currently hold the majority in the Senate by a count
of 29-21. Those selected to leadership positions are chosen by
their colleagues.

“I hesitate to speculate on my own behalf,” Scarnati said. “As
one of the newest members of leadership, I would certainly have to
consider something if my colleagues deem me worthy of serving. It’s
their decision.

“This will play out through the days, weeks and months
ahead.”

According to Scarnati, the defeat of both Jubelirer and
Brightbill was unexpected and can likely be traced back to the
middle-of-the-night pay raises lawmakers gave themselves last
year.

“We all knew these were going to be tough and tight races, being
the majority party during the pay raise,” Scarnati said. “They
certainly have been held accountable for what has become a great
debacle and they paid the price for that.”

Now, according to Scarnati, the party will have to find its
direction after the new members are sworn into office.

“There is no doubt in my mind, the next leadership of the
Republicans certainly not only have to bridge the geographic
differences in Pennsylvania, but also have to be able to reach out
and understand the issues that are important to voters and
taxpayers,” Scarnati said. “I think the days past of doing nothing,
or not doing enough, are over.

“I was in business all my life, and as a newcomer to politics, I
can tell you I couldn’t run my business the way the Legislature has
reacted to the issues. We need to be responsive. The voter wants
results.”

Echoing Scarnati’s sentiments was Michael Young, a
Harrisburg-based public opinion researcher, who told The Harrisburg
Patriot-News “the defeat of Jubelirer and Brightbill is going to
send seismic shock waves through the Pennsylvania political
establishment that are probably going to be felt for years to come.
Pennsylvania voters are mad as hell, and at least some of them are
not going to take it anymore.”

The Republican problems could be the Democrats gain, however, as
more of the same in November could lead to a Democratic takeover of
the House. That would mean Democratic Leader Sen. Robert Mellow
could be in line to fill Jubelirer’s shoes.

“People are angry and fed up,” Scarnati said. “People are being
squeezed every day and I believe strongly this election is a result
of voters saying we are tired of it. I applaud them for speaking
out loudly and clearly. There will be no more of the old ways done
for decades.

“I want to be part of that change and see it through.”

Officials believe the Republicans need to select leaders who
appeal to the party’s conservative voters in the state’s central
and western counties, including McKean County.

Both Jubelirer and Brightbill backed Scarnati when he ran as an
Independent to oust then-Sen. Bill Slocum, R-Youngsville.