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The day ended up surprising everyone when state Rep. Jim Gregory (R) of Blair County nominated state Rep. Mark Rozzi (D) of Berks County to be the speaker. The move was seconded by another Republican, Tim O’Neal of Washington County, who said, “We need an independent voice and an independent mind."

State House Majority Leader Joanna McClinton (D) agreed to support him, and within short order, Rozzi was elected speaker of the Pennsylvania state House.

Rozzi then proceeded to flip from Democrat to independent in his acceptance speech. “I am sure a lot of you didn’t see this coming today,” he said, then began discussing the importance of the independent voter in American politics owing to their putting “their fellow man first,” he said.

Rozzi then dropped the bomb no one saw coming that he was no longer going to be a Democrat, adding that he would not caucus with either party and would have staff from both parties.

State House Rep. Rob Mecuri, an Allegheny County Republican who was in the room when it happened, said it was a move no one saw coming. “It was a surprise result to be sure, but if Mr. Rozzi holds to his newly claimed independent status, this could be both an historic and welcome development for both my constituents in District 28 as well as citizens across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are looking for a bipartisan approach to our most pressing issues,” he said.

“Now its time to get to work on solving these issues together,” he said.

State Sen. Devlin Robinson (R) said when the special elections are finished, the partisan count will be 101-101-1, reflective of how divided the state is. As for the drama, he laughs, “Just when you thought you’ve seen it all.”

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