The race for state representative in the 75th District has a new leader — Lisa LaBraska Becker.
Early poll counts showed that Republican candidate Mike Armanini was leading, but on Friday, that was no longer the case.
Becker has pulled ahead of Armanini, according to unofficial results posted on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Vote Pa. website. As of Friday, Becker had 3,932 votes, compared to Armanini’s 3,769.
The results remain unofficial. The late results can be attributed in part to the first-ever widespread use of mail-in ballots, which in many cases were not counted on election night.
The seat is currently held by Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, who is not seeking reelection.
Becker is the founder and president of The Quarry Gymnastics Center since 1983 and the founder and owner of Piper Real Estate Management LLC. She currently holds the position of treasurer for the City of DuBois and was elected as the city controller for two terms prior to her current office.
Becker resides in the city of DuBois with her husband Joseph Becker and is the mother of two and grandmother of two.
The lone Democratic candidate, Ryan Grimm, garnered 3,377 votes and will advance to the ballot in the November election.
While the results aren’t official as of yet for the race for the 25th District state senate seat, it is clear that Republican candidate Cris Dush as a commanding lead.
The seat is currently held by state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, who had endorsed candidate Herm Suplizio to replace him. However, as of Friday, Dush was ahead by a 2-to-1 margin.
Votes Pa. had Dush with 19,939 votes, while Suplizio had 9,795.
Suplizio led in two counties, Cameron and Clearfield, while Dush carried each of the other counties — Clinton, Ek, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga.
The lone Democratic candidate, Margie Brown, garnered 8.872 votes and will advance to the ballot in the November general election.