Senator Joe Scarnati announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of this year. With the earlier retirement announcement of House Speaker Mike Turzai, also effective at the end of the year, Pennsylvania Republicans will lose their top two legislative leaders.
Scarnati has been the state’s President Pro Tempore for the last fourteen years. The position is the third-highest constitutional office in Pennsylvania. He will end his Senate career after five terms.
Scarnati also served from 2008 to 2011 as the state’s lieutenant governor, while continuing his Senate duties. His 25th Senatorial District includes all of Jefferson, Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter, and Tioga counties, and a portion of Clearfield County.
