Al Schmidt, Philly’s former top Republican elections official, is now officially Pa. secretary of state

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Al Schmidt, a Republican former Philadelphia elections official who challenged election denialism in 2020 and testified before the Jan. 6 congressional committee, is officially Pennsylvania’s secretary of state. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated Schmidt to oversee Pennsylvania’s elections and licensing operations. At the time, Shapiro said he nominated the longtime city commissioner for his “pro-democracy” outlook and willingness to stand up to former President Donald Trump during the 2020 election. Schmidt automatically became the state’s next secretary of state on Thur...