Kerry Benninghoff

BELLEFONTE – Veteran state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff says he will not seek Republican party leadership in Harrisburg for the upcoming term.

Elected to his 14th, two-year term on Nov. 8, Benninghoff told PennLive.com that his decision is based partly on “the need for unity, the end of infighting and unifying our caucus.”

The Republicans appear to have lost their majority in the state House as a result of Nov. 8 outcomes.

Democrats will likely be the majority party for the first time in years.

The changes are coming on the heels of a poor election cycle for House Republicans that saw a 113-89 majority in the current session flipped to a potential 102-101 Democratic Party majority once three pending vacancies are filled by special election early next year.

As PennLive reported this week, the three seats in question were all won by Democrats in the just-completed cycle; one is already open by death, and two others will be made vacant as their officeholders leave for new offices.

As a result, Republicans may have a functional 101-100 majority on the House floor on Swearing-In Day for the new session on Jan. 3, but it’s not yet clear how the two parties will handle election of the House Speaker for the short term.

Both sides will also be dealing with a new governor, as Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro prepares to succeed Gov. Tom Wolf on Jan. 17.

Benninghoff is going to try to carve out a new role for himself that does not involve leadership.

In an email to GOP members Saturday, he wrote:

“In Monday’s discussion there was a lot of talk of the need for unity, the end of infighting and unifying our caucus. I couldn’t agree more.

“In that spirit, and in what I consider the best interests of our caucus, I wanted to inform you I will not seek election to any caucus leadership position in Tuesday’s election. While I will say more when we are together next week, please know I am thankful for all the work we’ve accomplished together during my time as leader.”

Elaborating on his decision in a prepared statement Monday, Benninghoff said he was motivated in part by a desire to reclaim some of the personal time that goes away with senior legislative leadership posts.

“This year I again listened to retirement speeches, many of which mentioned optimism and joy at the opportunity to spend more time with family. I do not want to wait until I retire or regret it when I am dead that I was not able to do the same,” Benninghoff’s statement said

“Over the last two-and-a-half years as Majority Leader, I have spent a tremendous amount of time on the road attending fundraisers, supporting members in their districts and helping to raise the profile of the House Republican caucus.

“Stepping aside now opens the door for someone else to step up to a position of responsibility and inject new ideas into the caucus.

“Looking ahead,” Benninghoff concluded, “I plan on devoting my time to representing the people of Centre and Mifflin counties, helping to mentor newer members — including a large class of freshmen and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I am excited for what the future holds.”

Benninghoff, who just won election to his 14th term in the House, became the Republican floor leader in June 2020, in the aftermath of then-House Speaker Mike Turzai’s mid-term retirement to take a job in the private sector.

Benninghoff filled the opening created by Cutler’s elevation to Speaker, and he has held it ever since.

As leader, Benninghoff led a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful court fight against new state House district maps that many Republicans blame as being a major factor in the GOP’s poor showing this year. Democrats, meanwhile, argue the maps merely reversed effects of decades of gerrymandering.

Current House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, who retained his GOP job in caucus elections, according to a release from the PA House GOP.