Valley-based Representatives sworn into House

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

Swearing-in ceremonies were held Tuesday for state House members starting fresh two-year terms, but the celebration was overshadowed by the recent death of Westmoreland County Rep. Mike Reese.

Washington County Common Pleas Judge Brandon Neuman, a former state representative, administered the oath of office to the newly elected Representatives, who were divided into four groups to permit social distancing. The first group consisted primarily of freshman lawmakers, and Neuman offered them some words of wisdom drawn from Reese’s life.

“One thing I always admired about Mike, no matter where we were — right, left or in the middle — I always knew how his family was doing,” Neuman said. “Your family comes first. No matter what the hustle and bustle is in Harrisburg or your district, if there’s a baseball game, go to that, not the spaghetti dinner.”

Neuman also encouraged the freshmen lawmakers to get to know one another and their colleagues in the legislature.

Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-South Huntingdon, is starting his first full term, having won a special election to fill an unexpired term last spring.

“I first took office in April 2020, and what a terrible time it was for the people of Pennsylvania as we were all learning to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “I was happy to step into the role as state Representative at that time because there had never been a time where citizens needed their leaders more. 

“I was, and still am, committed to my constituents and helping them in every way possible.”

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