On Monday, state Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) was elected to serve as the new Caucus Chairman by the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus. 

Dunbar is filling the position previously held by the late state Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland). Reese died after suffering an apparent brain aneurysm on January 2. Reese was 42 years old.

Dunbar, who is currently serving in his sixth term in the state House, also serves as Majority Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and is a member of the Commerce, Finance and Gaming Oversight committees. 

The rest of the GOP House leadership remains unchanged with Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) remaining as Speaker, Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) as Majority Leader, Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) as Majority Whip, Stan Saylor (R-York) as Appropriations Committee Chairman, Martina White (R-Philadelphia) as Caucus Secretary, Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland) as Caucus Administrator, and Martin Causer (R-McKean) as Majority Policy Committee Chairman.

“As Pennsylvania continues to face a number of unique challenges, I am excited for the opportunities this leadership team is going to have to make Pennsylvania a better place for everyone who lives here,” said Benninghoff in a press release about the GOP leadership team. “Looking ahead, this team will be steering a dynamic caucus that will be focusing on economic recovery, protecting families and making our state government better while standing up for taxpayers.”

“This new leadership team includes a diversity of our caucus’s membership and has representation from different regions of Pennsylvania,” Benninghoff continued. “Working collaboratively, I know we can help accomplish great things for Pennsylvania and make this Commonwealth the ‘Envy of the East.’”