Radogno hangs onto leadership spot

By Jamey Dunn 

Despite daunting losses in November’s general election and a challenge from among her ranks, Republican Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont will hold onto her leadership position when the new General Assembly is seated in January.

Senate Republicans held an informal vote at a dinner this evening. The official vote will come after the new legislature is sworn in next year, but the outcome is traditionally determined before the issue is brought up on the Senate floor.

After Senate Republican candidates lost big in the election, Lebanon Sen. Kyle McCarter started publicly angling for the leadership job. But he failed to gain the needed support in the Senate Republican caucus, which will only have 19 members in the new General Assembly.

House Republicans voted last night to retain Minority Leader Tom Cross.