State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.) last week commenced her seventh consecutive four-year term as she was sworn into office at the Capitol alongside 24 colleagues who were re-elected or newly elected to the Senate in November.
State Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dougherty led Democratic senators in reciting the oath of office. Tartaglione’s mother, former city elections commissioner Marge Tartaglione, took part in the ceremony by holding the Bible used by her daughter to take the oath.
Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor administered the oath to Republicans.
In the 2018 election, Democrats gained five seats in the Senate and reduced the Republican majority to 29-21. The Senate welcomed five new women senators. Women now hold 11 seats, a net gain of four over the 2017-18 session.
With the 2019-20 legislative session at hand, Tartaglione said she will continue to push for workplace rights, educational opportunities and healthcare protections.
Tartaglione also maintains a focus on the opioid epidemic. ••
