Northcentral Pennsylvania is about to gain more political clout
in the state capitol.

During a nearly three-hour vote on Monday, state Sen. Joe
Scarnati, R-Brockway, was nominated by the Republican Caucus to
become the first new president pro tempore in the state Senate in
12 years.

Scarnati – who will preside over the Senate in the absence of
the lieutenant governor and is second in succession to the governor
– is believed to be the first president pro tempore ever from the
25th Senatorial District, which includes McKean, Potter, Elk and
Cameron counties.

The Senate Majority Policy Committee chairman defeated Sen.
Jeffrey Piccola of Dauphin County and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf,
R-Willow Grove. The selection is done by secret ballot and there
was no immediate word on what the vote total was. The full Senate
will vote on Scarnati’s nomination when it reconvenes in
January.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust that my colleagues have
shown in giving me the opportunity to lead this great institution,”
Scarnati said. “Without question, I stand ready to accept the many
challenges that lie ahead and look forward to being more actively
involved in both policy matters and budget discussions.

“This is such a huge honor for our Senate district and those
people that have put me here.”

Scarnati will take over the reins from one of his political
allies, Sen. Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair. Jubelirer was defeated in
the May primary election, falling victim to the legislative pay
raise scandal.

“Sen. Scarnati will do an outstanding job in the position,”
Jubelirer’s aide David Atkinson said. “It is an opportunity to
really do some extra things to benefit the area that he
represents.”

Both Jubelirer and outgoing GOP Floor Leader David “Chip”
Brightbill backed Scarnati when he ran as an Independent to oust
then-Sen. Bill Slocum, R-Youngsville.

McKean County GOP Chairman C. Russell Johnson, who previously
worked for Scarnati, said the lawmaker’s “good organizational
traits” paid off for him.

“I’m sure he’ll be able to handle the job,” Johnson said. “He’s
got a lot of youth and the people that work for him are young
also.”

Scarnati, 44, a former Jefferson County restaurateur, said while
it was evident that voters were not pleased with many of the
initiatives taking place around the country, they did acknowledge
the state Senate was moving forward toward reform. Despite some
losses in the state House, the Republicans still maintain firm
control of the Senate by a 29-21 margin.

“The first job is bringing this (Republican) Caucus together and
unifying it,” Scarnati said. “We have so much talent in this
Caucus, in both the leadership team and members. I’m going to
continue to listen and learn and do what’s right for
Pennsylvania.

“Without a doubt the challenges will be great, but I’m up to the
challenge. Pennsylvanians want results. Rhetoric has no place in my
vocabulary.”

Scarnati said he wants to bring a think first, act second type
of attitude to the position, adding he’ll bring the core values of
his district to the leadership, including a focus on less, but more
effective governance.

While Scarnati declined to immediately discuss particular policy
he would like to put forth after taking over as president pro
tempore, the lawmaker did say the Senate is moving in the right
direction in regards to the passage of such legislation as the
gaming reform package and lobbyist disclosure reform act.

“Certainly, the General Assembly and the Administration must
place reform measures at the top of the agenda, but we must also
work together in an effective, efficient manner to move
Pennsylvania into a state that is more community and business
friendly. We have learned from past mistakes and are earning back
the trust from the citizens who gave us this great opportunity in
shaping the government of Pennsylvania.”

In his new role, Scarnati would act as the Senate’s chief
administrator, appointing committee chairmen and posts, make Caucus
appointments to state boards and commissions, be a leader in budget
discussions and typically control the flow of grant money for
projects across the state. He also vowed to be a strong force for
Republican principles when dealing with Democratic Gov. Ed
Rendell.

“It’s a major role to play,” Scarnati said.

Democratic leader Sen. Robert Mellow of Lackawanna County told
The Associated Press he could work with Scarnati and Republican
Floor Leader Sen. Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County. Democrats
actually favored them over Piccola, who was viewed as too
conservative.

“Scarnati and Pileggi are two engaging individuals we can work
with,” Mellow said.

The last senator from the 25th District believed to hold such a
high-ranking position was Sen. Richard Frame, who served as the
minority leader several years ago.

Compared to Jubelirer’s three decades in office, Scarnati has
less experience in such a senior position, although he’s served as
chairman of the highly respected Labor and Industry Committee and
as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, among
others.

“I want to assure each and every person that I will continue to
be open, honest and accessible to the constituents of the 25th
District,” Scarnati said.