PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A politician from Southwest Philadelphia is shattering glass ceilings in Harrisburg as a newly elected Democratic House leader.
State Rep. Joanna McClinton made Pennsylvania history, as she became the first woman elected to serve as a minority leader in the House or Senate.
McClinton, a member of the state House since 2015, represents the 191st District, which consists of parts of Philadelphia and Delaware counties.
"I'd like to think that it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a woman or an African American but because I've worked hard for years," she said.
"As an assistant public defender, I know what it's like to fight as an underdog and I look forward to going back into the capital and making sure we fight for working families. "
I am humbled to have been elected as the new @PaHouseDems Leader. I promise to continue the fight for working families, a respectable #LivingWage, quality education and #CriminalJusticeReform. We have a hard road ahead, but I will not let you down! #PaHouse pic.twitter.com/Oqlqi2soDj
— Joanna McClinton (@RepMcClinton) November 13, 2020
McClinton said her priorities for Pennsylvanians are COVID-19 relief funding for small businesses, funding for public schools, and criminal justice reform.
"From police reform to looking at everything from arrest, all the way until post-conviction, ensuring that we have a fair justice system that is a priority," she pledged.
