HARRISBURG (AP) – The Berks County Democrat who was unexpectedly elected PA House Speaker is saying he hopes to keep the job. Speaker Mark Rozzi said he won’t necessarily step aside and support House Democrat Leader Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia to succeed him as speaker. The Capitol is now rife with speculation that McClinton or some other candidate may soon try to evict Rozzi from the speaker’s rostrum. McClinton says she’d be “honored” if Democrats make her speaker once they fill three vacancies next week. The state House has been frozen since Rozzi took the speakership and has not passed internal operating rules or assigned members to committees.

REP. JOANNA MCCLINTON

REP. MARK ROZZI