McClinton voted Pa. speaker; first Black woman to win post

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Philadelphia State Rep. Joanna McClinton on Tuesday became the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House, ascending to the chamber's top position on the strength of a fresh onevote Democratic majority.

- Mark Scolforo

"It was almost 250 years before a woman could stand at this desk, not just to give a prayer, but to get the gavel," McClinton said after being sworn in. "That's pretty incredible."

The leadership reshuffling came nearly two months after Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Berks County Democrat, became the surprise choice for speaker. Democrats flipped a net of 12 seats in November to retake majority control by the narrowest of margins after rowest of margins after more than a decade--but their control did not become effective until their candidates won three special elections earlier this month.