Martin Michael Schmotzer, a former Baldwin-Whitehall School Board member who represents Pennsylvania's 22nd District in its House of Representatives for the remainder of 2012, was sworn into office today at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.

The 22nd District includes includes at least parts of Whitehall Borough, Baldwin Township and Castle Shannon Borough and the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Overbrook, Brookline, Mount Washington, Beechview, Duquesne Heights, Manchester, Sheraden and Esplen.

Schmotzer, a Democrat who lives in Whitehall, defeated Republican Chris Cratsley, of Overbrook, in a special election on April 24 to fill the remainder of former Rep. Chelsa Wagner's term.

Also on April 24, Cratsley and Democrat Erin Molchany won their parties' primary elections and will compete in November to become the 22nd District's representative in 2013.

Rep. Frank Dermody, a Democrat from the state's 33rd District and the House's minority leader, welcomed Schmotzer on Tuesday in a swearing-in video broadcast live on pahouse.com.

"Marty is a small-business owner and a longtime school board member of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District," Dermody said. "He understands the importance of education as a tool for economic development.

"As a resident of the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Marty knows the importance of transportation to the state—mass transit, roads and bridges.

"We're looking forward to working with Marty and seeing his leadership on school finance and transportation issues."

Said Schmotzer in a press release later, "I am honored to serve as the voice of over 60,000 constituents in Harrisburg, and I look forward to helping many of you with your questions and concerns that involve state government."

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