Mustello fends off Covert in 2020 rematch
State Rep. Marci Mustello won every precinct Tuesday in a runaway victory for the Republican primary election as she competes to earn a third full term to represent the 11th District in the House of Representatives, according to unofficial results.
Like she did in the 2020 primary, Mustello defeated business owner Ryan Covert for the nomination. Mustello won in a 5,263-3,073 vote, or 63.1% -36.8%, according to unofficial results.
Mustello’s current 2-year term expires at the end of the year. She was first elected in a special election.
Covert is an owner of Snack ‘N Pack and Butler Hot Dog Shoppe in Butler.
After results were counted Tuesday night, Mustello thanked voters and said she is proud of her campaign.
“It goes to show hard work does pay off. Running a positive campaign always wins out,” Mustello said. “We ran on issues; we ran on accomplishments. We listened to what voters need in the 11th District.”
She commended her campaign volunteers for their hard work.
“I didn’t do it by myself. It took a team. I’m very proud of them,” Mustello said. “Volunteers really do a lot of work. I don’t thank them enough.”
Mustello will proceed to the November ballot, where she may be uncontested, barring the addition of an independent candidate.
Butler City, Chicora, East Butler and Saxonburg, and Buffalo, Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Donegal, Jefferson, Oakland, Summit and Winfield townships comprise the district.
In the city of Butler, Mustello defeated Covert 139-77 in precinct 1, 53-34 in precinct 2, 62-36 in precinct 3, 82-31 in precinct 4-1, 90-37 in precinct 4-2 and 147-84 in precinct 5.
She won 104-40 in Chicora, 61-44 in East Butler and 143-46 in Saxonburg.
In Buffalo Township, Mustello won 220-207 in precinct 1, 195-188 in precinct 2 and 127-119 in precinct 3.
In Butler Township, she won 298-126 in precinct 1-1, 202-97 in precinct 1-2, 68-32 in precinct 2, 160-46 in precinct 3, 305-159 in precinct 4, 181-92 in precinct 5, 265-100 in precinct 6 south and 237-83 in precinct 6 north.
Mustello won 210-134 in Clearfield Township, 285-145 in Clinton Township, 164-117 in Donegal Township, 226-218 in Oakland Township and 347-273 in Winfield Township.
In Jefferson Township, she won 321-116 in precinct 1 and 214-144 in precinct 2, and in Summit Township, she won 223-159 in Summit South and 134-89 in Summit North.
Covert could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.