GOP picks candidate for 11th district run
Just 55 days from a special election to fill a vacant state House seat, Marci Mustello won the Republican nomination Wednesday night.
Mustello, 48, of Butler Township is a long-time politico working behind the scenes of Butler County Republicans. She manages U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly's schedule and represents him at events in the county, and prior to that she worked for one of Kelly's predecessors, Phil English.
She thinks it's time she try, again, to take higher office herself.
“The voters will recognize my name in the 11th district,” Mustello said, in a speech pitching her candidacy.
Mustello is entering into a rapid-fire race to fill the Pennsylvania House of Representatives seat formerly held by Brian Ellis, who resigned after sexual assault allegations arose in January. Heading into Wednesday night, Mustello was one of nearly a dozen Republicans seeking the nomination.
She'll face Democrat Sam Doctor on the ballot May 21. Mustello previously ran for the seat in 2004 and lost to Ellis himself.
A group of 31 Republican committee members nominated Mustello from a pool of seven.
Though more applied to be considered, only those applicants who received a nomination from a committee member from the 11th district and a second from a second member were eligible to be voted on.
The seven who received nominations, in order, were Gregory Walter of Clearfield Township, Mustello, Tiffany Keffalas of Butler Township, Shawn Denham of Fairview Township, Ryan Covert of Butler Township, Amy Reynolds of Butler Township, and Suzie Bradrick of Butler Township.
Mustello said she thinks her “electability” set her apart from the competition.
“I've been involved in local Republican politics since the early '90s,” Mustello said. “I've built a reputation. I've built friendships. They've just kind of carried over throughout the years.”
She won the nomination after only a single round of votes. Doing so required a majority, so 16 or more, of ballots cast to bear her name.
Among those casting ballots was Nicole Hollins, a proxy voter serving in the place of Monica Ellis, the former representative's wife who has filed for divorce.
Hollins, on Monica's behalf, nominated Reynolds. Reynolds is the district director of Ellis' former Lyndora office. In her speech pitching herself to committee members, she posited that she'd carry on existing relationships in Harrisburg.
“I'm the best choice for a smooth transition of leadership in Butler County,” Reynolds said.
Mustello said she doesn't think the recent controversy surrounding the House seat will affect the race.
“There's really no difference,” Mustello said. “You have a Republican candidate, a Democrat candidate, and they run.”
At any rate, she and her Democratic opponent, Doctor, appear to have a tight line of campaigning ahead.
“I'm ready to start tomorrow,” Mustello said.
