The Lead

Butler County’s Marci Mustello sworn in to state House, expanding historic caucus of female lawmakers

By: - June 4, 2019 3:54 pm

Rep. Marci Mustello is sworn in on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Courtesy of House Republicans)

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-Butler, was sworn into office Tuesday, bringing the number of women lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives to an historic high of 54 members, or about 26 percent of the 203-member chamber’s total complement.

Mustello won a special election 57-42 percent last month to replace Rep. Brian Ellis, who resigned in March due to sexual assault allegations he denied. She’s a former staffer to U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District, and also worked for Kelly’s predecessor, former Republican Congressman Phil English, of Erie.

A record-setting number of women are serving in the Pa. House. They make up just a quarter of the body | Analysis

The House is still one member down heading into budget season after Rep. Fred Keller, R-Snyder, resigned to to serve in Congress. He won a special election on primary day to replace former U.S. Rep. Tom Marino.

The special election to replace Keller will take place Aug. 20.

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Stephen Caruso
Stephen Caruso

Stephen Caruso is a former senior reporter with Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Before working with the Capital-Star he covered Pennsylvania state government for The PLS Reporter.

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