State Sen. Joe Picozzi was sworn in last week to represent the 5th Senatorial District.
Picozzi, a Republican, edged Democratic Sen. Jimmy Dillon.
During the Jan. 7 ceremony, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt presented the Nov. 5 election results, showing Picozzi prevailing by a count of 50,570 to 49,735, with 134 write-ins.
Picozzi and Sen. Dawn Keefer were the two newly elected Republicans and, along with Republican senators re-elected, were sworn in by Indiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Gina Force.
Among those in the chamber was Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday, who campaigned with Picozzi in Fox Chase and Rhawnhurst six days before the election.
The GOP has controlled the Senate for 30 years. An expected victory in a March special election would give Republicans a 28-22 advantage.
Picozzi, 29, grew up in Somerton and lives in Tacony.
On the day of the swearing in, he held a reception at the Capitol in Harrisburg.
“Public service is a privilege,” he told the crowd.
Schmidt was among those who stopped by. Others in attendance included Picozzi’s parents, sister and other family members; his office staff in Philadelphia and Harrisburg; his campaign staff, whom he thanked for helping him pull off the upset victory; and Republican City Committee chairman Vince Fenerty and ward leaders.
Picozzi recognized former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley and Sen. Frank Farry, both of Bucks County. Picozzi worked for Farry when he was 14.
Picozzi said he also learned, as a teenage intern, from his uncle, Charlie O’Connor, Republican leader of the 45th Ward, when O’Connor was executive director of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission.
“Thank you so much, Uncle Charlie,” he said.
Democrats control the House, and Picozzi said he has already spoken to Rep. Amen Brown, a Philadelphia Democrat, about ways to work together.
Picozzi wants constituents to hold him accountable and told those at the reception he is seeking their guidance.
“I’m asking for your help,” he said. ••
