Voters across Westmoreland County are casting ballots in elections that could alter the political makeup of the Pennsylvania Senate. Although state Sen. Kim Ward is not on the ballot, the results could affect her position in Harrisburg as leader of the chamber.
Ward currently serves as president pro tempore of the state Senate, having been unanimously reelected to the position in January with support from both Republicans and Democrats. A shift in party control following the election could result in Ward losing her post and serving in a minority leadership role.
Sen. Kim Ward, a Republican serving as Pennsylvania Senate president pro tempore, described the chamber’s top leadership post as nonpartisan in nature.
“This leadership role that I sit in, the president pro tempore, it’s not a very, very partisan position,” Ward said. “I am elected by Democrats and Republicans and we will just continue the way we have been, which is to work with the other side.”
Addressing the potential for a shift in Senate control, Ward noted that voters expect both political parties to cooperate regardless of majority status.
“We don’t know what that would look like, but I’m hoping that if that happens, the Democrats also work with us across the aisle to get things done in a bipartisan manner,” Ward said.
Ward emphasized the significance of local turnout in Westmoreland County to ensure voters’ voices are represented in Harrisburg.
“We are an important county when it comes to voting,” Ward said.
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