Newly elected lawmakers in Pennsylvania will be sworn in Jan. 6. In Senate District 32, which includes Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties, political newbie Patrick Stefano is taking over long-serving Democrat Richard Kasunic’s seat.
In addition to learning how the Senate works, Stefano has also had to figure out some logistics, like hiring staff and finding a space for an office. It’s the first political office Stefano has ever run for and he’ll be the first Republican senator the district has elected in nearly 70 years. He said the party shift in the district will be a good thing.
“I’m on the majority party. The current Senators and Reps in my district have always been in the minority party," he said. "So, how in the world can you get too much done if you’re not on the side that’s making all the decisions? So I think that’s benefit number one for our area.”
Representatives for the region have actually been a mixed bag. The district is traditionally Democratic, but voted Republican in the last presidential election. In the November elections, Republicans increased their edge in the state Senate from 27-23 to 30-20.
Stefano said he’ll focus on scaling down the reach of government, on economic development and transportation issues. But he said the slow pace of government is something he’ll have to get used to.
“Not being able to make the decision myself and having to wait for other to do that, that’s going to be the biggest adjustment I have,” he said.
Stefano runs a printing business in Dunbar, Pa. He said his daughter will help run the company while he’s in office.
