Wolf's 2nd term comes with evolving GOP identity in Capitol

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - With Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's second term effectively underway, perhaps the biggest question in Pennsylvania's Capitol is how Republicans who control the Legislature will re-emerge after suffering losses in the Nov. 6 election.

The Republican majorities remain substantial, but they're going to be the smallest since Wolf became governor in 2015. And given significant GOP losses in moderate southeastern Pennsylvania seats, Republicans generally agree that their majorities are shifting to the right.

In the two-year session beginning in January, Republicans will control a minority of the seats in Philadelphia's four heavily populated suburban counties, long a core element of their legislative majorities and their moderate bloc.

That leaves Republican majorities more reliant on central and western Pennsylvania districts.

That might mean fewer GOP intraparty fights or a more cohesive caucus in partisan showdowns with Wolf.