DePasquale, a Wolf ally, is picked as DRPA chairman

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat, was selected Wednesday as the new chairman of the Delaware River Port Authority board, replacing former Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, a Republican.

DePasquale is a political ally of newly elected Gov. Wolf, a fellow York resident. The Pennsylvania governor, or his representative, typically chairs the bistate board, while a representative of the New Jersey governor serves as vice chairman.

DePasquale, who has been on the DRPA board since Jan. 2013 by virtue of his position as auditor general, said his top priority for the agency is "to make sure our customers . . . have a safe route that is as cost-effective as possible."

The DRPA, with an annual operating budget of $283 million, operates four toll bridges and the PATCO commuter rail line between South Jersey and Philadelphia.

DePasquale was unanimously elected chairman Wednesday after being nominated by board member William Sasso, a Philadelphia attorney who is a Republican.

Wolf, who took office in Harrisburg Tuesday, has not announced whom he will appoint to the six DRPA seats that he can fill. The two other Pennsylvania seats on the board are taken by the state's auditor general (DePasquale) and the state treasurer (Democrat Robert McCord).