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Special Election: Trump House creator Rossi leading race to fill seat of late Rep. Mike Reese

Westmoreland, County, Pa. — Voters in Westmoreland and Somerset counties are on the verge of electing their first female lawmaker for the 59th Legislative District for the State House.

Early returns showed Republican Leslie Rossi leading the three-person race.

The mother of eight came on the political scene in 2016 when she painted The Trump House in Youngstown, Westmoreland County.

This is a special election.

The vacancy was left when Rep. Mike Reese suddenly died in January after being elected to a seventh consecutive term in the fall.

It was reported that Reese died peacefully at 42 years old with his family by his side Saturday afternoon at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg following an apparent brain aneurysm.

Mariah Fisher is known to the local political landscape as a Ligonier Borough Council member.

Rossi is best known as the Trump House creator in Youngstown.

Libertarian Robb Luther is a political newcomer.

Channel 11 made attempts to meet up with Rossi, who said she was spending the day in Somerset County before returning to Westmoreland later this evening. We caught up with Fisher and Luther this afternoon about how the last couple of months of campaigning has boiled down.

“I think we should have choices in these elections. These local and state races are important, and they affect our daily lives, and I think people need to know that and get involved and get out there and vote,” Fisher said.

“My North Star is personal liberty and fiscal conservative spending. I won’t spend a dollar more unless we’re saving a dollar and a quarter more,” Luther stated.

Unlike other primary races, you do not need to be affiliated with a party to cast your vote.