HARRISBURG — Kim Ward, Pennsylvania’s ranking state senator, ascended to the job of state lieutenant governor Tuesday after Democrat John Fetterman resigned minutes before he was sworn in to office as the state’s newest U.S. senator.

Ward, a Republican from Hempfield and the new and first woman to serve as president pro tempore of the state Senate, will hold the office under Pennsylvania’s constitution, but only for two weeks.

Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, is succeeding Ward as majority leader.

Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis, a Democrat who was elected Nov. 8, will be inaugurated Jan. 17 with Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro.

Fetterman also won his new office Nov. 8. His swearing-in marks the first time since the 1940s that Pennsylvania elected two Democrats to the U.S. Senate at the same time.

Under the constitution, the president pro tempore handles all the duties of the office of lieutenant governor, which include presiding over the state Senate sessions, chairing the state pardons board and chairing the state emergency management committee.

Ward was picked for the job of president pro tempore by her fellow Republicans, who hold a 28-22 majority in the state Senate. Ward is the first woman to serve in the post.

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