Joining GOP leadership. 

According to The Hill, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) was elected as the Sophomore Representative to the GOP House Leadership on Wednesday. The Lancaster County Republican will be taking over for Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI), who announced his plans to step down from the position. Mitchell nominated Smucker to succeed him in the leadership role. 

Smucker lauded Mitchell’s leadership in an interview with The Hill and said that he’s looking forward to working alongside other GOP leaders in the House for the remainder of this term. 

“So there are six months remaining, and I’m very thankful to my Republican colleagues for their support to serve as class rep for the remainder of the year, so I look forward to that,” Smucker said. “I think we have a great leadership team — Leader [Kevin] McCarthy, Whip [Steve] Scalise and [House Republican Conference Chairwoman] Liz Cheney and the whole leadership team. And so I’m looking forward to being part of it, to support them and to advance an agenda that moves America forward.”

PoliticsPA is seeking comment from Smucker’s office.

In addition to this new role, Smucker also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee. 

Smucker was first elected to Congress in 2016 to serve the old 16th Congressional District after besting Democrat Christina Hartman by 11 points. In 2018, Smucker fended off a primary challenge from Chester Beiler and defeated Democrat Jess King by 18 points in the newly drawn 11th District. 

In 2020, he’s set to face progressive Democrat Sarah Hammond for the seat. 

The boundaries of Smucker’s GOP friendly seat in south central Pennsylvania voted for President Donald Trump in 2016 by over 25 points.