Fight for Legislative Leadership Begins in Harrisburg

All four state caucuses will hold elections later this month and they are expected to be more volatile than ever. Republican Caucus spokesman Steve Miskin says current Minority Leader Sam Smith helped GOP candidates take four previously Democratic seats in western Pennsylvania, and helped to stop other Republican seats from being lost. But for a caucus hoping to retake what was a one-seat Democratic majority in the House, coming up with a net loss of two seats could spell trouble for Smith, especially if former Philadelphia leader John Perzel attempts a coup. There is another challenge to leadership involving a lawmaker closer to home. Representative Mike Turzai of Bradford Woods is running for House Whip, which is the number two spot. Currently that post is held by Schuylkill County's Dave Argall - who may be looking to a Senate run in the special election to replace the late Senator James Rhoades in the same region.