U.S. Senator-elect Dave McCormick (Pa.) announced Tuesday that State Senator Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) will become state director of his office.
McCormick said in a statement that he was “delighted.” Aument agreed to serve, citing his experience as an Army veteran and his role as whip of the Republican majority in the state Senate. The appointment at Aument is McCormick’s first personnel decision.
“As State Director, Ryan will oversee our official Senate offices throughout the Keystone State, ensuring we provide impeccable service to citizens and continue to build and strengthen our deep relationships with Pennsylvanians in all corners of the Commonwealth,” McCormick said.
raise has been a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly since 2011, first winning a seat to represent the 41st district in the House of Representatives and then the 36th district in the state Senate. In addition to serving as majority whip and senator, Aument formed and chaired the first Nuclear Energy Caucus.
Aument said he is grateful for McCormick’s confidence in him in the position.
“It has been an honor to serve in the State Senate, and I look forward to continuing to serve Pennsylvanians in this important new role,” Aument said.
Aument campaigned alongside McCormick throughout his successful 2024 campaign against incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (R-PA), including the launch of a 67-county McCormick bus tour in February.
Aument’s modern role will create a vacancy in the 36th District, prompting a special election to be called after his formal resignation.
According to a statement from Senate Republicans, Aument will officially resign from the Senate by January 3, 2025. His offices will remain open and staff will be available to assist constituents with state-related issues during the transition. Once the resignation is official, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will have 10 days to announce the date of the special election. The winner will serve until the end of Aument’s term, which ends in 2026.
Aument defeated Mike Miller in the GOP primary he won 20 points in his last re-election attempt in 2022 and was unopposed in the general election.
Aument was also re-elected as majority whip last month for the upcoming session, which means Republicans will have to choose someone else for that leadership position.
Republicans currently have a slim majority in the Senate, while Democrats have an even slimmer majority in the House of Representatives.