Special election set to fill Mike Reese's state House seat

A special election to fill the vacancy in the state House 59th District left by the sudden death of Rep. Mike Reese will be conducted May 18.

Pennsylvania House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, announced Tuesday the special election will be held along with the regularly scheduled primary the same day.

The 59th District is made of 42 voting precincts in eastern Westmoreland County, including parts of Hempfield and Unity townships as well as Cook, Donegal, Fairfield, Ligonier and Mt. Pleasant townships; and Bolivar, Donegal, Ligonier, Laurel Mountain, New Florence and Seward boroughs. It also includes 10 rural precincts in western Somerset County.

Reese, 42, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant, died Jan. 2 of an apparent brain aneurysm just days before he was to be sworn in for his seventh term. In December, Reese was chosen by GOP leadership to serve as the majority caucus leader in the House.

“Rep. Reese set an example for every legislator to follow, and he is greatly missed in the chamber by members and close friends on both sides of the aisle,” Cutler said. “His commitment to his family and his constituents could never be questioned, and he leaves enormous shoes to fill on our House Republican leadership team.”

Candidates for the special election will be selected by delegates from the Westmoreland and Somerset county Democrat and Republican committees.

Republicans hold a substantial voter registration edge in the district, accounting for nearly 55% of the registered voters. About 34% of district voters are registered as Democrats, according to elections in officials in Westmoreland and Somerset counties.

Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chairman Bill Bretz said details about the nominating process have yet to be finalized.

“There will be a special meeting called, and candidates can present their cases to run,” Bretz said.

Westmoreland Democrats could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, district offices in Mt. Pleasant and Ligonier will remain open to assist constituents until a new representative is elected in May, Cutler said.