(News)

McKeesport's new state senator was sworn into office Wednesday.

With a few stumbles apparently caused by nervousness, Jim Brewster took the oath of office at the state Capitol in Harrisburg with his wife, Linda, by his side. The two-term mayor of McKeesport won a special election Nov. 2 to the 45th Senatorial District seat vacated by Sean Logan.

Logan resigned in August to accept a job with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Brewster will fill the remaining two years of Logan's term. He is expected to formally resign as McKeesport's mayor at the Dec. 1 council meeting.

Both state law and the city's home rule charter forbid him from accepting a salary for two elected positions simultaneously; a city official told the Almanac that Brewster has been removed from the city payroll.

With his election, Brewster, a Democrat, bucked a statewide Republican sweep that saw the defeat of longtime legislators such as Rep. Jim Casorio of Irwin, and the loss of Democratic control of the state House.

In a prepared statement, Brewster, 62, vowed not to accept per diem payments, a taxpayer-provided car, or any state salary hike or cost-of-living increase.

"My top priority will be to address the needs of the people who live in our region," Brewster said. "I will work hard, seek positive results and be responsible with tax dollars. I will strive to make a difference and have a positive impact on job development, education advancement and efforts to rebuild our local communities."

The 45th District includes parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, including McKeesport, Monroeville and New Kensington.

"I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to doing what I can to help families," Brewster said. "I will work to improve the Pittsburgh region's business and jobs climate, cut property taxes and make government more efficient and responsive."

Mayor for seven years, Brewster served for 10 years on city council and was a vice president of operations at the former Mellon Bank, where he worked for 27 years. A graduate of Community College of Allegheny County and California University of Pennsylvania, he and his wife have three daughters and four grandchildren.