HARRISBURG, Pa. — Al Schmidt, a Republican former Philadelphia elections official who challenged election denialism in 2020 and testified before the Jan. 6 congressional committee, is officially Pennsylvania’s secretary of state.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated Schmidt to oversee Pennsylvania’s elections and licensing operations. At the time, Shapiro said he nominated the longtime city commissioner for his “pro-democracy” outlook and willingness to stand up to former President Donald Trump during the 2020 election.
Schmidt automatically became the state’s next secretary of state on Thursday, after the full Senate failed to vote on him by the 25th legislative day since his nomination. Two other secretaries — Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh, a former Montgomery County commissioner, and Revenue Secretary Pat Browne, a former state senator from the Lehigh Valley area — officially took office on Thursday under the same circumstances.
