Marcy Toepel sworn in to state House seat

Republican Marcy Toepel was sworn in Wednesday as state representative for the 147th state House District.

Magisterial District Judge Maurice Saylor administered the oath to Toepel while Speaker of the House Keith McCall and House Republican Leader Sam Smith looked on.

"Taking the oath of office today, I was humbled and grateful, it's truly a special privilege becoming a member of this body," Toepel said in a statement released after the ceremony.

Toepel said she is ready to dive into the Legislature's negotiations over the state budget, which is supposed to be passed by June 30.

"The state budget is going to be my first major vote in a tough budget year," Toepel said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give the people of Pennsylvania a responsible budget."

Toepel was elected to the House in a special election on May 18 to complete an unexpired term of former state Rep. Bob Mensch, now a state senator. Toepel has been active in the Montgomery County Republican Party and previously served as first deputy to the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds.

Toepel also won the Republican nomination in the May 18 primary to run for a full two-year term in the House this November.

In addition to friends and family, including husband Mark, invited guests attending the House ceremony included Ethel Ritchey, mayor of Pennsburg; Robert Young, chairman of Upper Frederick Township Supervisors; Bob Kerns, chairman of Montgomery County Republican Committee; Brittany Tressler, executive director of Montgomery County Republican Committee; and Nancy Becker, recorder of deeds for Montgomery County.

The 147th Legislative District includes the townships of Douglass, Lower Frederick, Marlborough, part of New Hanover, Perkiomen, Salford, Skippack (portion), Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, and Upper Salford. The district also includes the boroughs of East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg, Red Hill and Schwenksville.

It's one of the safest Republican districts in the state so expect Toepel to hold the seat in the Nov. 2 election.