Reschenthaler named to GOP leadership team in U.S. House
Sen.-elect Fetterman selects top aides
When the GOP takes control of the U.S. House in January, Western Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler will be among the leadership team, a top Republican announced Friday.
Mr. Reschenthaler, RGreene, will serve as chief deputy whip, part of the team responsible for rounding up votes and maintaining party unity on key legislation, Whipelect Tom Emmer, RMinnesota, said.
Mr. Reschenthaler, a former state senator and Navy lawyer who served in Iraq, first won election to Congress the same year Democrats took control of the chamber in 2018. After the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Mr. Reschenthaler voted against counting Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. He ran unopposed for re- election in his heavily conservative district this year, when the GOP won a narrow House majority.
“House Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to show voters we are capable of delivering on our promises and serving as a vital check on Joe Biden’s disastrous policies,” Mr. Reschenthaler said in a statement.
His appointment comes amid a flurry of key personnel moves as the winners of Pennsylvania’s 2022 elections prepare to take their new offices next month.
Just one day after Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro announced his longtime aide Dana Fritz would serve as chief-of-staff, U.S. Sen.-elect John Fetterman filled two top posts with political veterans
from Philadelphia and Washington.
Adam Jentleson, a top aide to former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and veteran of two presidential campaigns, will lead Mr. Fetterman’s Capitol office as chief of staff.
Mr. Jentleson wrote a book about Senate dysfunction that was deeply critical of the use of the filibuster to thwart important legislation supported by most senators. The procedural tool has become a primary target of progressives including
Mr. Fetterman, who said during the campaign that he would vote to abolish it so a Democratic majority could pass laws expanding access to the ballot box and codifying a right to abortion in federal law.
Philadelphia nonprofit executive and longtime political hand Joseph Pierce will serve as state director for Mr. Fetterman, after the sitting lieutenant governor joins the Senate. Mr. Pierce was the statewide political director for two successful Senate campaigns in Pennsylvania — Mr. Fetterman’s and that of fellow Democrat, Sen. Bob Casey. He also worked as the director of government relations and advocacy for the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Mental Health Partnerships.
“It will be invaluable to have a veteran of the Senate and a veteran of state politics in these key positions as we serve the people of Pennsylvania,”
Mr. Fetterman said in a statement. “Between Adam’s deep understanding of the Senate and Joe’s wealth of knowledge and experience serving the people of our commonwealth, I am confident that my office will be ready to fight and deliver for the people of Pennsylvania on day one.”