Elected officials sworn in at state, federal level
Butler County candidates who were successful in the 2022 general election were sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 3, during ceremonies held in the hallowed halls of government, whether in Harrisburg or Washington, D.C.
Newcomer Stephenie Scialabba, who won the state representative seat in the 12th Legislative District, raised her right hand and swore to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the floor of the state House of Representatives where she will serve her constituents.
“I am humbled and honored to have earned the trust of the District 12 residents,” Scialabba said in a news release following the ceremony. “I will lean on my experience and perspectives as an attorney, mother, daughter and granddaughter to be a voice of reason in Harrisburg and to bring our fair share of Harrisburg back home.”
She said her legislative priorities are to encourage economic growth, help small businesses and domestic energy production, responsibly scale back the regulatory environment, respect and expand parental rights in education and medicine, defend the Constitution, lower taxes, and support young families, the elderly, veterans, first responders and law enforcement.
Scialabba, an attorney, also will focus on establishing data privacy rights in Pennsylvania.
The 12th District previously was represented by former state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe for 24 years. Metcalfe announced his retirement last year.
Scialabba was joined on the House floor by her husband, John, and their young son, Teddy.
Incumbent state Rep. Marci Mustello was sworn in for her second term in the 11th Legislative District.
“I am grateful to the people of the 11th District for giving me their confidence to represent their interests and concerns in Harrisburg, and I am honored to continue this work,” Mustello said in a news release. “This session, the challenges before us are very demanding, but working together, I believe we can make great strides in dealing with the economy and increasing business and job opportunities, especially in Western Pennsylvania.”
Mustello named the quality of children’s educational opportunities and continuing to support agriculture as two main areas of emphasis for her second term in office.
She also plans to introduce legislation to modernize the state’s small games of chance act for local organizations still struggling from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as legislation to allow local breweries access to the licensee discount when they purchase state Liquor Control Board products.
Also sworn in were state Reps. Aaron Bernstine, R-17th and Tim Bonner, R-8th, who serve parts of Butler County and won reelection in November.
Democrat John Fetterman was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as Pennsylvania’s 54th senator in the U.S. Senate.
Fetterman, the former state lieutenant governor, beat Dr. Mehmet Oz in a race that was closely watched nationally.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, was not sworn in Tuesday, as a Speaker of the House had not been chosen. The house speaker normally presides over those ceremonies.
